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Affairs. Indeed one might even pun the words into Holmes Affairs because Ronnie has been so principally responsible for bringing his Department out of the rut that it got into before the 1960s and revitalizing the whole department, especially by introducing the system of City District Offices, by which his Department can now claim to be almost the only Department in the Government that really gets to the people and knows the people's needs. Although we have not seen eye to eye on all occasions over these years, I think Ronnie can claim to be the only Senior Government Servant in Hong Kong to whom I have sent, in an unofficial long confidential memorandum, the ideas of the Reform Club and myself about the Government of Hong Kong dealing with many things from Elected Representations to the future of the New Territories. I am glad that he is not leaving the community of Hong Kong but will still play a very important part, especially in the life of its citizens. On behalf of the Unofficial Members, I wish him and his wife all the best and may he have still many years of active life before him to serve the people of Hong Kong. (Applause).
Mr. D. R. HOLMES:- Mr. Chairman, I do not wish to take up a great deal more time of the Council today, but I must thank you most sincerely for your very kind remarks and good wishes and express my thanks also to my colleague and old friend, Mr. Brook BERNACCHI, who has also made some very kind remarks which I greatly appreciate. It is true, and I count myself fortunate, that I shall be able to remain in Hong Kong in another capacity and, therefore, although my formal connection with this Council has ceased, which is a matter of great regret to me, I do very much hope that the friendship I have made on this Council will not be interrupted. This is a great consolation to me in this change of circumstances which I face now.
I had occasion to look up the minutes of the first meeting which I first attended on the 11th May, 1954, and I think, had it been possible for me to know then that I should still be sitting in this Council 17 years later, I might have been excused for supposing that, by then, I should be the oldest inhabitant; but, as Brook has already said, this has not proved to be the case, and although none of the illustrious names one sees here (Mr. HOLMES referred to the minutes of 11th May, 1954) are still represented, Mr. BERNACCHI is with us still, and may I say how glad I am.
It says, incidentally, that Mr. BERNACCHI arrived on the 11th May, 1954 at one minute past 4 p.m. (Laughter).
May I thank you once again, Mr. Chairman, and wish this Council all success in its future. (Applause).
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ADJOURNMENT
5.27 P.M.
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CHAIRMAN:- That concludes the business of this meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 1st June, 1971, at 4 p.m.
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