2.
13
Enclosures
Nos. 2 & 3.
4.
At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 1st May, 1946, in the presence of
over three hundred representative members of all communities in the Colony,
the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt was run down and the Union Flag
was broken over Government House. A salute of seventeen guns was fired by
H.M.S. "Tyne".
5.
At 10.05 a.m. Admiral Harcourt read the Proclamation
determining the Military Administration and delivered a short address of
welcome. The text of the Proclamation and the speech are attached as
enclosures Nos. 2 and 3 respectively. An address of welcome on behalf of
the whole community was then read by Sir Robert Ho Tung. An English
Enclosure No.4. version of this speech, a copy of which is attached as enclosure No.4, was
Enclosure No.5.
read by Mr. Leo D'Almada e Castro. I then delivered my reply to these
addresses. A copy of the text of this speech, in the course of which I read
His Majesty's gracious message to the people of Hong Kong, and also the
announcement which I had been authorized to make on behalf of His Majesty's
Goverment on the subject of the proposed constitutional changes in the
Colony, is attached as enclosure No.5. Finally a Cantonese translation of
my speech was read by Mr. B. Wong Tape. All speeches were broadcast
together with a running commentary on the ceremony.
6.
Immediately after the departure of the guests the Acting
Chief Justice and the Clerk of Councils took the prescribed oaths at
Government House. The Legislative Council then met in the Council Chamber,
Colonial Secretariat, and after the oath of allegiance had been taken by
the members of the Council the necessary urgent legislation was passed,
the meeting lasting about half an hour.
7.
At 2.15 p.m. Admiral Harcourt after saying goodbye to me
at Government House drove to Queen's Pier where after appropriate ceremony
and after bidding farewell to a very large gathering he boarded the Cruiser
H.M.S. "Argonaut" which sailed shortly afterwards.
8.
You, Sir, are already very well aware of the distinguished
services rendered by Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt in the course of his
administration of the Government of this Colony, and of the deep debt of
gratitude which is owed to him for the great measure of recovery and
rehabilitation that was achieved in Hong Kong under his most capable and
energetic