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Extracts from the South China Morning Post, 25th January, 1929.
His Excellency the Governor presided over the meeting and there were also present:
His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Troops (Major General C. C. Luard, C.B., C.M.G.).
The Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. Wilfred T. Southorn, C.M.G.).
The Attorney General (Hon. Sir Joseph Kemp, K.C.).
The Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Mr. C. McI. Messer, O.B.E.).
The Director of Public Works (Hon. Mr. H. T. Creasy, C.B.E.).
The Captain Superintendent of Police (Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, C.M.G.).
The Secretary for Chinese Affairs (Hon. Mr. R. A. C. North).
The Harbour Master (Hon. Lieut.-Commander G. F. Hole).
The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services (Hon. Dr. W. B. A. Moore).
Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, K.C. Hon. Sir Shouson Chow. Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., LL.D.
Hon. Mr. A. C. Hynes. Hon. Mr. J. Owen Hughes. Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton. Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga.
Hon. Dr. S. W. Ts'o, LL.D. Mr. H. R. Butters, (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
New Members.
The Harbour Master, the Direc- tor of Medical and Sanitary Ser- vices, the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga and the Hon. Mr. S. W. Tso took the oath and their seats as members of the Council.
Welfare of Hongkong.
H. E. the Governor.-Honour- able Members of the Legislative Council: It is a very real plea- sure to me to find myself among you again. My experience of this Council has been a long one. I first sat here as Clerk of the Council on 10th December, 1900, and of those who then sat in this Chamber with me not one is here to-day: "All, all are gone, the old
familiar faces." But, although the membership of the Council has repeatedly changed, the mind of the Council, if I may so phrase it, has undergone no change what- ever since first I knew it 28 years ago. It has at all times been the aim of all members of this Council, both official and unofficial, to do everything that in them lay for the welfare of Hongkong. That is why work in this Council is so pleasant; and that is why, even when matters of grave importance have to be considered, our debates are as a rule commendably brief. We all of us at all times have the same end in view and, therefore, we almost see eye to eye.
Our first thought on entering the Council Chamber to-day must have been a feeling of gratitude to the Honourable the Director of Public Works and his staff for the im- provements they have effected in this building. An additional storey has been successfully con- structed. The work has been well done. It has been expeditiously done, and it will much facilitate the executive and legislative ad- ministration of this Colony. I am sure that all members will wish me to take this opportunity of convey- ing our thanks to the Public Works Department. (Applause.)
Welcome to New Members. My next duty, and a very plea- sant one, is to welcome to this Council four additional members. appointed under the change just made in its constitution. The har- bour of Hongkong is the raison d'etre of this Colony and its most valuable asset. It is, therefore, right and proper that the Harbour Master, who is the officer especial- ly charged with the maintenance and development of Hongkong harbour, should have a seat in this Council. But, although the har- bour may in a sense be described to be the life of the Colony, we its colonists could not live here as