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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
NEW MEMBER.
The Hon. Mr. T. N. Chau took the oath of allegiance and his seat as a member of the Council.
RETIREMENT OF SIR SHOU-SON CHOW.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.-Since we last met in this Chamber, this Council has sustained a serious loss. Sir Shou-son Chow had. been a member for a period of ten years, having been appointed originally on the 2nd December, 1921, for six years, and re- appointed on the 2nd December, 1927, for four years. The Secretary of State has ruled that, except in special circumstances, a member shall not serve more than two terms. I should, however, have been ready to submit Sir Shou-son's name for re-appointment, had he not expressed a wish, on account of age, not to seek re-appointment. His ripe wisdom, sage counsel and his consistent loyalty at once to my predecessors and myself, the Government, and the Colony, have been of immense value, and it is somewhat difficult to envisage this Council without him.
The loss, however, is somewhat tempered by the fact that he still remains a member of the Executive Council, having been re-appointed last July for a second period of five years. His advice and counsel will therefore, am glad to say, still be available to the Government. Speaking personally, although we have not known one another for a very long period, a strong bond of personal friendship has been established between us, for which I need hardly say I have the greatest regard, and I am happy to think that I shall continue to have the benefit of his advice and help.
I take this opportunity of welcoming Sir Henry Pollock back to the Council, and also in tendering a hearty welcome to the new member.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.-Sir, I must begin by thanking you personally for welcoming me here to-day.
As Senior Unofficial Member I desire to express my great regret, which I am sure is shared by all my unofficial colleagues, at the retirement of Sir Shou-son Chow from this Council.
The ten years during which my honourable friend has sat in this Council have included periods of considerable anxiety and even difficulty, and I consider that not only this Council but the Colony are to be congratulated upon having had the benefit during those troublesome times of the ripe experience and sound judgment of Sir Shou-son Chow.
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