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6
rapid increase in the extent and virulence of the plague had disorganised all labour, and rendered it difficult for the Committes to get the dead removed from the hospitals and properly disposed of with the means at their disposal. You succeeded in at once introducing order and regularity into the service, and in affecting very considerable economies, and from that time forward the Committee were relieved from all troubles and under no auxiety as to the dead.
The Permanent Committee have further to thank you for undertaking, at their request, the general supervision of the men of the Royal Navy and others employed in the launches and at the fires along the Praya, established for the destruction of rubbish removed froin the houses in the city.
The Permanent Committee are sending a copy of this letter to the Colonial Secretary for submission to His Excellency the Governor.
I have, &c.,
(Signed),
JNO. J. FRANCIS, Chairman,
Commander William C. H. Hastings, R.N., &e., &o, &o.
HONG KONG
25th September, 1895. DEAR SIR--On behalf of the Plague Recognition Committee, we have great pleasure in asking you to accept the accompanying Medal as a slight token of the gratitude of the people of Hong Kong for the services rendered by you during the plague of 1894.
We are,
Yours faithfully,
A. COXON, Chairman.
VICTOR H. DEACON,
To Honourable Captain Hastings, R.N.
Honorary
T. SERCOMBE SMITH, Secretaries.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:
**PORTHMINSTER,
ST. IVES, CORNWALL."
NATIONAL TELEPHONE.
No. 8.
565
HONG KONG, January, 1895.
To Commander WILLIAM CHARLES HOLLAND HASTINGS, B.N. SIR-At a Public Meeting, presided over by His Excellency Sir William Robinson, Governor of Hong Kong, held on the 27th September last, at the City Hall, it was unanimously resolved that the services rendered to the community during the recent visitation of plague by those who assisted in its repression were worthy of public recognition, and a large and influential Committee, representing all sections of our community, was appointed to give effect to that resolution.
On behalf, therefore, of that Committee, and in the name of the community, we beg to tender to you the community's deep and heartfelt thanks for the services which you rendered to the Colony in her hour of trial, by your constant presence in the stricken district whilst the plague was raging there, to superintend and carry out the arduous duties relating to the removal and interment of the dead, and by assisting the local authorities by every means in your power to arrest the fatal progress of the disease.
We have the honour to be, Sir,
BOATING,
GOLF.
MANAGERESS:
Miss A. MULLARD.
SEA FISHING,
BILLIARDS.
Your most obedient servants,
EDW. J. ACKROYD, Chairman.
VICTOR HI. DEACON, T. SERCOMBE SMITH,
DUBLIN: Printed by ALEX. THOM & Co. (Limited), 87, 88, & 83, Abbey-street,
The Queen's Printing Offee.
Secretaries.
Porthminster Hotel,
St. Ives, Cornwall.
1. Nov. 1900
My dear Marsh
Will you kindly read of note the enclosed and let Johnson and Ommanney See it. Capt Hastings
is a good officer but there are othus who would come before him for St Vincent
Yours sincerely
C.P. Lucas
Cuph Kuaking hos hun hold that have
is any little perspect of venting able to meet Microbes Who