Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" dated 10th December, 1901.
CORRESPONDENCE.
(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)
THE LATE MR. FRANCIS, K.C.,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS."
Hove, Brighton, 8th November.
Sir,
The last mail brought me the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. J. J. Francis. I have read with melancholy interest the tributes which have been paid to his memory in the Courts of Hongkong. In them I fully concur, and although I feel that those who have so ably spoken on this sad occasion have left little if anything to be further said, yet, as Mr. Francis was about the first person to speak to me at the Court on my arrival in 1882, and as I had daily intercourse with him till I left 1895, I would wish through your columns to add the expression of esteem, respect, and regret to the memory of one who through all those years filled such a prominent place in our Court and who has been suddenly cut off at a time when he could have looked forward to many years of work and usefulness.
Like all of us, Mr. Francis had his faults, but one quality he possessed, for which he ought to be remembered and his example followed, was his faithfulness and devotion to his clients. He was thoroughly conscientious in the conduct of his cases and once he took up a case he bestowed on it all his energy and talent. His zeal for his client may sometimes have betrayed him into hasty or indiscreet action, especially if he thought there was on the part of witnesses any false swearing, but this is a fault which we could soon forget when we thought of his independent conduct of a case.
He was also a most useful citizen; as Chairman of the Plague Recognition Committee, I recall, he had put aside his professional duties and sacrificed his large practice for some months to help the Colony in her hour of trial. He did a great and good work, and I deeply regretted that these deserving services had not met at the hands of Government with their reward—but I suppose some official jealousy prevented him receiving that mark of Her Majesty's favour which he surely deserved—and which he would have greatly appreciated.
—Yours, &c.,
EDW. J. ACKROYD.
C.O.
703
RED
2383
&
Rec'd 20 JAN 12
Extract from the "Xongkong Daily Press' dated 10th.
December, 1901.
CORRESPONDENCE.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)
THE LATE MR. FRANCIS, K.C.,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS." Hove, Brightou, 8th November. Sie.The last mail brought me the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. J. J. Francis. I have read with molancholy interest the tributes which have been paid to his memory in the Courts of Hongkong. In them I fully concur, and although I feel that those who have so ably spoken on this sad occasion have left little if anything to be further said, yet, as Mr. Francis was about the first person to speak to me at the Court on my arrival in 1982, and as I had daily tercourse with him till I left 1895, I would wish throagh your columns to add the expression of estorm, respect, and regret to the memory of one who through all those years filled such a prominent place in our Court and who has been suddenly cut off at all when he could have looked forward to may yours of work and usefulness. Like all of us, Mr. Francis had his faults, but one quality he possessed, for which he ought to be remembered and his example followed, was his faithfulness and devotion to his clients. He was thoroughly conscientious in the conduct of his cases and once he took up a case he bestowed on it all his energy and talent. His zeal for his client may sometimes have betrayed him into hasty or indiscreet action, especially if he thought there was on the part of witnesses any false swearing, but this is a fault which we could soon forget when we thought of his independent conduct of a case. He was also a most useful citizen; as Chairman of the Plague Recogni tion Commitee, I recall, he had put aside his professional duties and sacrificed
his large practice for some months to help the Colony in her hour of trial. He did a great and good work, and I deepy regretted that: these deserving services had not met at the hands of Government with their reward--but I suppose some official jealousy prevented him receiving that mark of Her Majesty's favour which he surely deserved--and which he would have greatly appreciated.-Yours, &c.,
EDW. J. ACKROYD.
C.O
703
RED
2383
&
Rue 20 JAN 12
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