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7. From June, 1895, till December, 1895, I was also Acting Harbour Master.
8. From April last to date, I have held the appointment of Acting Police Magistrate and Coroner.
9. From November, 1891, to April, 1892, and from June, 1895, to October, 1896, I have been a Member of the Legislative Council,
10. During the first period the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance was passed. 11. I have also been honoured by being appointed to serve on the following Commissions and Committees :-
(a.) To consider the system of Quarantine and Quarantine Regulations as applicable to the Port of Hong Kong.
(5.) Member of a Confidential Committee to consider what steps should be taken in the event of a recurrence of the Plague in the Colony.
(c) Arms and Ammunition Amendment and Consolidation Ordinance.
(d) A Committee appointed to inquire into the condition of British Trade in Hong Kong. (e) Chairman of a Committee appointed to inquire into the subject of lighting the City of Victoria and British Kowloon.
(/) A Committee appointed to inquire into the question of flogging at Victoria Gaol.
WILLIAM C. H. HASTINGS,
Acting Police Magistrate.
17/3/97.
[Private.]
MY DEAR HASTINGS, --I suppose you will accept the office. 1 congratulate you and shall be very sorry to lose yon.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
ST. LUCIA, 1st November, 1889.
Yours truly
(Signed),
R. B. LLENELYN,
In recording my opinion of the qualifications of Commander Hastings, I cannot do better than refer to the fact than when Acting Governor of Hong Kong last year I was
so much inpressed by the very efficient way in which he conducted the duties of Harbour Master, the great force of character which he displayed, the honest manliness with which he dealt with many difficult questions, that I selected him to be a Member of the Legislative Council, where he gave me most effective support in every way-especially in connection with the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, which was fiercely opposed by many whose interests were affected by it, but which, mainly owing to Commander Hastings, firmness and effective support, I was able to carry through.
I have a very strong appreciation of the earnestness and ability of Commander Hastings; and I am sorry for the sake of this Colony that his services are likely to be so soon lost to it.
(Signed),
G. DIGBY BARKER, Major-General, Commanding Troops in China and Hong Kong; and late Acting Governor of Hong Kong.
SPANISH TOWN,
3rd April, 1888.
DEAR CAPTAIN HASTINGS,-I very much regret to hear you are about to retire from the public service in Jamaica.
I first met you in the Parish of St. Thomas, where we both worked. I noticed your zeal and diligence as immigration agent, and, from what I saw of you and from what I heard, 1 sought you out when I wanted help in my work, and I was not disappointed.
For many months, and up to the time I ceased to be employed as Acting District Court Judge in the District, you helped me as Deputy Coroner. In the discharge of the duties you displayed the same qualities of industry, zeal and intelligence as I had seen in your own special office--your unlooked for aptitude for the unaccustomed work would have surprised me more if I had not witnessed instances, even in the Colony, of men taken from the army and navy, and filling magisterial appointments, exhibiting judicial qualities eclipsing sometimes those of men of special training. 1 believe you fitted to take your place side by side with these men, and I hope the day is not distant when you will be placed side by side with them.
I shall regret your departure on puhlic
as well as personal grounds.
The example set by men of energy in doing their work for love of the work is wholesome and stimulating to us slow-moving and languid Colonists, and their departure from among us seems to me like a public loss.
Wishing you every happiness and a prosperous career,
Head Quarter House, Hong Kong,
8th December, 1892.
I have pleasure in saying that since I have been in this Colony-13th May, 1896-Captain Hastings' work as Acting Police Magistrate has come a good deal under my observation, and I have been much impressed with its excellence. He has not had the advantage of a legal training, bat his energy, industry, and sound judgment have enabled him to overcome this disadvantage, and to discharge the duties of the office in a most efficient manner. Since I have sat in the Supreme Court there has been only one appeal from his decisions.
Captain Hastings is held in high respect by the people of this Colony, both as a man and as a public servant.
J. W. CARRINGTON,
Hong Kong
16th March, 1897.
(Signed),
C. J. of Hong Kong.
Captain Hastings.
I remain,
Dear Captain Hastings,
(Signed),
HENRY J. BRICKNELL.
Commander Hastings, retired, Royal Navy, has for seven years past held the post of Assistant Protector of Immigrants in Jamaica, and has since 1883, when I became Governor of that island (and, I believe, previously), performed the duties of his appointment in an unhealthy district, with zeal and success.
As the Immigration Department of Jamaica is in course of reduction and will probably disappear before long, Captain Hastings is anxious to obtain some other employment in the Colonies, and I venture to recommend him as an officer of integrity, and who deserves any consideration that can be extended to him.
(Signed), H. W. NORMAN,
Governor of Jamaica.
19th July, 1888,
PERMANENT COMMITTEE,
SANITARY BOARD, 1st September, 1894.
MY DEAR CAPTAIN HASTINGS, Will you let the Permanent Committee have a report of the work done by you, and any suggestions as to the best method of organizing and arranging for the cothining of the dead, their transport to the cemetery, and burial, in the event of a return of the epideroic next year; who to employ for the work; how they should be supervised; what arrange- ments should be made for dead-houses, coffin depois, and line stores; what transport, land and sea, and how and by whom to be worked; what organisation and staff in the cemeteries to ensure quick burial and thorough. You made such an enormous change for the better in the management of the burials from the first moment you took charge that we should be glad to have your ideas on the subject.
(Signed),
I have, otc.,
JOHN J. FRANCIS,
Chairman.
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