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I am sure that Members are as sorry as I am to lose Mr. WONG, and will want me to wish him every happiness in the future and to thank him sincerely for his valuable services both to this Council and to the public which it serves.
Mr. LAM has been a member of this Council since the 1st April, 1965, and he too has served on many Select Committees. He has shown himself to be able and industrious, and a likeable colleague. We are indebted to him for the part that he has played in furthering the interests of the people of Hong Kong. I am sure that all Members will join me in expressing our very sincere regrets at his decision (based upon health grounds) to retire from this Council. I would like to wish Mr. Lam every success, and to express our warm and sincere thanks for his services to the community. (Applause).
MR. LI:- Mr. Chairman, I was ordered by my senior learned colleague to pay tribute to the two retiring members, Mr. WONG and Mr. LAM. I think Mr. WONG has worked with me particularly closely because we have been working together on a special committee on boarding houses and we have not heard the last of the subject, so we are really sorry to lose the services of Mr. WONG on this Council. Mr. LAM has also worked very, very hard and very well together with all Unofficial and Official Members in this Council and I think their services are of great value to the community. We miss them very much and we hope that both Mr. WONG and Mr. LAM will look on our parks and recreation projects with favour and give us greater help at the higher level. With these remarks may I wish Mr. WONG and Mr. LAM every success in the future. (Applause).
MR. BERNACCHI:- Mr. Chairman, this is also your last meeting and on behalf of all Unofficials I regret to wish you farewell. I, personally and also part of the Unofficials have, from time to time, disagreed with you but I can truthfully say that you have always had the interest of this Council at heart. You have sat in this chair with distinction, and it is with considerable regret that we now bid farewell to you. I wish you and your good lady a very happy retirement, and please come back to see us again in the future. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN: -----Mr. BERNACCHI, Sir, thank you, and thank you, all Members. I have, of course, only been doing my duty, and it occurs to me this afternoon to say that my duties would appear plainer to observers if I always wore a hat in the Council Chamber. I should need at least five, of different colours, placed before me on the table, and it would be obligatory, when speaking, for me to wear the one appropriate to the role that I was performing. I am sure this would be helpful to new members at least. For the Director of Urban Services a hat of departmental green would be appropriate, matched by a rather apologetic manner. For the Chairman, Urban Council, a
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black hat and a stern demeanour, as primus inter pares he keeps orders amongst his equals. A red hat would mark the very rare occasions when he is spokesman of the central Government; a blue hat when he voices what he thinks is the opinion of the man in the street. Chairman of the Housing Authority a brown bowler would serve.
These hats would be paid for from the Block Vote (Laughter) on the specious excuse that by easing people's minds they provide a recreational amenity. The hats being Government property, each outgoing Chairman would bequeath them to the Urban Council tea party as trophies to hang upon the walls of the tea room.
Thus while members are planning their next move their eyes might linger from time to time on the evidence of their past victories, and they might draw inspiration from the relics of the chairmen they have seen off.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, these last two years have been for me an intensely interesting experience. You know that I have my own view on how this Council should function. I hope that I have done it some service and not disservice—after-events will show. I part from you with regret as far as our personal friendships are concerned, and collectively as a Council I wish you good fortune and smooth administration. (Applause).
MR. WONG:- Mr. Chairman, may I say a few words. I want to thank you for your kind remarks and those of Mr. Li Yiu-bor on behalf of the Unofficial Members. It is a rule of life that all good things come to an end and it is time that I leave this Council. It has been wonderful eight years—the same period of time when one can graduate from high school and university in my days. I have learned a great deal in this university of social work and hope to use my knowledge of it in furthering other avenues of public service which I may perform. I don't think I've enjoyed such splendid fellowship with all its excitement and achievement—and some frustration—in any organization since I left college, and my years in the Urban Council will always be amongst my most cherished memories. I shall miss you all very much. Before I finally sit down I would like to give you as my valedictory a few bashful verses. Owing to the element of time I have to limit them to those who were on this Council before me, and Mr. Chairman, may I say I have very much enjoyed your chairmanship and I wish you the very best on your retirement. I venture to include a few lines for you too.
"Brook chairs the Hawkers Committee,
As difficult a job as can be.
Nonetheless, for the hawkers, he done
Found for them a place in the sun.
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