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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I cannot say that I haven't enjoyed my job as Chairman—and all the palavers that have gone with it.
This is not only the last Public Meeting at which Officials will appear. Unfortunately, we also lose the services of Mr. Wu who is resigning at the end of the month, Mr. KAN, who chose not to stand for re-election, and Mr. WONG, who, as I have already said, was unfortunate enough not to be re-elected. It is always disturbing to have colleagues and Friends leave us, and it is particularly so on this occasion when the Council will depend so heavily on all its experienced and hard-working Members. Perhaps Mr. WONG will stand for re-election in 1975, and I know that Mr. Wu and Mr. KAN leave because of pressures placed on them in other public fields. I am sure you will join with me in wishing all of them and their families every happiness and success in the future. (Applause).
I close by wishing the new Council, with whoever is its Unofficial Chairman, the success which I am sure it will enjoy in its new role when it holds its own purse strings. Good luck to you all.
Thank you. (Applause).
MR. WU (In English):-It is with mixed feelings today that I rise to speak to you and my colleagues of the Council for the last time in an open meeting.
I am a third-generation Hong Konger and was brought up and educated here. I have always lived in Hong Kong except during the war years when I left one month after the Japanese occupation for Free China. It was there where I continued to benefit from the Hong Kong government as a refugee, and it was there that I, in turn, helped other H.K.U. students who arrived after me.
I have always considered what I received during my early years as my debt to Hong Kong, and whilst I have never run nor lobbied for public service, I have not hitherto declined any call upon me for such service. I have always tried to serve to the best of my ability and with the time available, as I was indoctrinated by the Rotary motto of "Service above self".
Sir, my career in the Urban Council coincided with yours as Chairman, and I am happy to say that I am grateful to you and your officers for the assistance and co-operation that have always been so readily given me. I also enjoyed the very cordial working relationship I have with my Official, Appointed, and Elected colleagues.
My years in Select Committee work have given me much greater insight into our problems of housing, hawkers, food and food premises,
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markets and abattoirs and environmental hygiene. I am sure that the knowledge and experience I so gained would serve me well in my other public duties.
My term of office does not expire until March 31st, 1976, but pressure of my other commitments has forced me to tender my resignation.
My only regret is that I am unable to share, with my Appointed and Elected colleagues, a new phase of the Council's activity with hard-won autonomy and increased responsibilities. I must say how much I will be missing you, all that I wish the New Council every success, and you, Sir and Mrs. ALEXANDER, very good health and happiness. Thank you. (Applause).
MR. WONG (In English):-Mr. Chairman, may I have the floor to express my appreciation. As this is precisely my last Council meeting, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you, Sir and each and every Council Member, especially Mr. Jack TINSON, our most efficient Secretary, your subordinates and staff of your department for their kind co-operation and assistance they have rendered me during my four years term of office.
Sir, I must say that I really enjoyed working under your chairmanship and together with all the other Councillors. Particularly, I have great respect for Mr. SALES who is most amiable and he is always willing to give a helping hand and direct one on the right path whenever one seeks his advice. Personally, I also must thank him for his thoughtful and kind letter consoling and encouraging me to stage a comeback in 1975. Anyway, many many thanks to him, but I think it is still too early for me to consider it now.
Although I have been deprived of being re-elected, I am not ashamed that I had 3,200 supporters voting for me and my other four team-mates, but unfortunately I have a ticket of no return i.e. only give and no take. I am not disappointed for myself, but I very much regret that one of the candidates, Miss Sansan CHING, did not get elected.
Sir, I understand you will be retiring when the new Urban Council takes over on 1st April and may I take this opportunity to wish you and your Mrs. good health, great prosperity and all the very best in your future. Also, before I resume my seat may I also wish the new candidates great success and the new Urban Council better achievement. Thank you. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN (In English):-Thank you, Mr. WONG.
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