CO129-454 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [4-6] — Page 555

Sondlovure 1.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

551

PRESENT:

25TH JANUARY, 1919.

H EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINIS BRING THE GOVERNMENT, HON. ME.

LAUD SEVERN, Q.M.G.

There can be but one feeling in all our minds that circumstances should have rendered it necessary for Sir Henry May to take this course. Our sympathies have been deeply stirred by the long period

HIS EXCELLENCE MAJOR-GENERALF. of anxiety through which Sir Henry TRIS (General Officer Commanding and Lady May have passed, and to that Ţin China).

anxiety there has been added in his case

al Secretary).

Hos. SIR PAUL CHATER, C..G. Hos. MR. J. H. KEMP. K.C., £.B.E. Attorney-General),

Hox. ME. A. G. M. FLETCHER the trial of being separated from bis work here in which he was so deeply in- terested. When he left, he had settled the heavy programme of new work for this year, and was looking forward to re- turning to see the beginning of those great developments in every direction which the war had interfered with.

HON MR. C. McI. MESSER, 0,K.E

ial Treasurer),

Q.M.G.

HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, Director of Public Works).

How MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, O.B.E

ry for Chinese Affairs). Hox. Ma. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain Buperintendent of Police).

Hos. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, R.C

Hos. MR. D. LANDALE. HON. MR. LAU CHI PAK. HON, MR. P. H. HOLYOAK, HON. MR. HO FOOK. HON. MR. R. G. SHEWAN, Mr A. DYER BALL (Clerk of Coun-

Among others in the Council Chamber

Sir H. W. DE SAUSMAREZ and Mr. NEY FANK

THE TEX OFFICER ADMINISTERING Que GOVERNMENT-Hon. members of the

tive and Legislative Councils, When Sir Henry May left the Colony

September, it was not supposed that! would be away for more than about A months. The great improvement in Diona May's health had made it V for him to contemplate return here in March and it was with great y that I received the telegram the Secretary of State announcing be had accepted Sir Henry May's tion of the office of Governor of E, Colony-

&

It is always a painful moment when man of action bag to lay aside his arma, or when an officer of great energy and zeal has to seek retirement. In the case of Sir Henry May, the wrench will be especially severe. He loved this Colony. in which he had risen from a Cadet to be its Governor; be had grown up with it for more than thirty years dur ing the most momentous period of its history, and throughout the long years of the war, he had guided its destinies with rare skill and judgment. On every side labours, but if I may select one enduring can be seen evidence of his untiring

may be remembered, it is the care he example by which his long service bere devoted to beautifying this island and the New Territories. Time is required fully to develop his schemes, but future generations will bless the keen foresight That designed the shady amuen, the walks. wooded hills and the flower-bordered

Colony in the year 1912, he found some When Sir Henry May returned to this of us somewhat inclined to resent the intrusion of the motor-car, but he became one of the pioneers of automobilism in this Colony and the great progress that has taken place in the construction and widening of main roads is due to his desire to provida cheap and rapid means of transport and to open up undeveloped parte of the Colony and the New Terri