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Two large buildings were opened during the year, viz., the Government Offices and Fire Station on Connaught Road opposite the Central Market, and the new Banque de l'Indo-Chine building on Queen's Road,
An investiture was held at Government House on 13th March, when H. R. H. Prince George, K.G., G.C.V.O., invested His Excellency the Governor, Sir Cecil Clementi as K.C.M.G., Knighted the Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow and invested the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax with the badge of C.M.G., Mr. George Duncan with the badge of M.B.E. and Mr. George White with the Royal Albert Medal.
At the 17th Congregation of the University of Hong Kong held on 12th January, the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) was conferred on His Excellency the Governor, Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., the Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, Mr. R. Ponsonby Fane, and Sir R. E. Stubbs, K.C.M.G., (in absentia).
The news of the death in England on 25th May of the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak came as a shock to the Colony. The late Mr. Holyoak had been an indefatigable worker both as an Unofficial member of the Legislative and Executive Councils, and as Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
Two days later on 27th May, there passed away in Hong Kong the Hon. Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., the most prominent figure in the public and commercial life of modern Hong Kong. Sir Paul had spent over sixty years in the Colony, during which period he had devoted himself not only to business but also to the general welfare of the community. He was first appointed to the Legislative Council in 1886, and was an Unofficial Member of the Executive Council from 1896 to the time of his death.
On 29th August, Mr. Ho Fook, a scion of a well-known Chinese family in Hong Kong, died. Mr. Ho Fook before his retirement from active participation in the affairs of the community had been an Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, and had been a leading member of all the most important of the Chinese public bodies.
The Hon. Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.M.G., C.B.E., Acting Colonial Secretary who had served as a Cadet Officer in Hong Kong for 24 years left on 9th January for Ceylon, of which Colony he had been appointed Colonial Secretary.
On 1st May, the Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn of the Ceylon Civil Service arrived in Hong Kong and took up the duties of the post of Colonial Secretary.