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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
tories, and though Sir Henry May will service, and I can share, in no not be here to see the business through, degree, in the feeling of deep regret we can show our appreciation of the lead is felt at his retirement. I am sure that he has given us by doing our best it is the unanimous hope of the com to accomplish what he has planned. nity that Sir Henry and Lady May ar The war gave Sir Henry May an op- their family will enjoy health portunity to awaken the latent energies happiness for many years to Emine of the manhood of Hongkong. His stir- (Applause.) ring example has made the Hongkong Defence Corps and the Police Reserve into fine bodies of men, of which the Colony may be proud. He has been very solicitous for the welfare of young WCA, who come out to the East to spend the best part of their lives. A thorough sportsman himself, he has, throughout his career in the Public Service, endeavoured to stimulate a love for healthy sport in all classes of the community. His sympathy with the as- pirations of the Chinese to excel in games has been shown in his efforts to provide! suitable recreation grounds, and in the reclamation schemes now in progress, and in the development of the Kowloon peninsula, allowance has been made for open spaces for the same purpose.
Henry was esteemed by the whole com- not alenata it, nor difference destroy Laity To an unrivalled experience of it. In sunshine or in trouble, it could be the needs and interests of the Colony, he counted and drawn upon without ex- thdded the natural genius of his race. haustion and without stint. We do not He possessed the aptitude, given to few, need to tell him of the depth of our of fastening on the keynote of any prob- sympathy or the fervency of our wishes which confronted him; often where and hopes regarding the causes which, thors could not see so wisely or so well. we understand, have led to his resigna- Mistakes he sometimes made, and who tion. He and his are constantly in our free from them? But the mistakes of thoughts and we trust that a happy fu- I beg to move that:—
strolig man loom larger than those of ture, free from anxiety, lies before him The Executive and Legislative Comeu of lesser calibre and are apt to be and all his family. His life and work
cils, assembled in joint session brred against him where otherwise amongst us the occasion of the resignation by would be forgotten. The Govern with independently of Lady May who, cannot be fittingly dealt Sir Henry May of the office it records, if searched, would tell Governor, desire to record of great results achieved by him, emin-sibility and his success.
for so many years, shared his reapon- high appreciation of the emily to the Colony's advantage, which but loved her.
None met ber None left her but was services which he has rendered er came under public notice. He was the Empire and to Hongkong tapt to blazon his successes to the her happiness and she has shared with lifted up. We have shared with her in ing his most honourable carcer aslic eye. Silently and unsparingly, he us in our troubles. She let no barriers servant of the Crown.
ked to preserve and protect the im- interpose between her and all around. A The Councils wish to express the interests committed to him, and sweet and gracious lady, as a Governor's sincere regret that the term has man can deny him acknowledged wife should be, her memory and her been set to the long connection of success. There is no need for me to friendship will be treasured throughout Sir Henry and Lady May with ther in detail to the outstanding fea life. The unofficial members of the Exe- Colony which they have loved sl s of his career. I had the honour cutive and the Legislative Councils desire much and have served so failut doing so when welcoming him on his to associate themselves in every way with and well."
intimeat to be our Governor. They your references to Sir Henry May and In all efforts for the moral and physical
known to all. His work as Captain I have the honour and the very great well being of the community, Bir Henry
THE HON. SIR PAUL CHATER Yerintendent of Police; his promotion pleasure to second the resolution you May has had the able assistance of Lady Excellency, I cannot tell you how peed of education; the impetus he gave to the have proposed. May. Her cheerful and ready help has I am that the honour of seconding theter Force; his close co-operation been an immense impetus to every good resolution you have proposed should hit the Chinese community; and, later, cause. Throughout the war, she has taken fallen on me; nor how I value this the development of the Colony and the the lead in the splendid work done by portunity of bearing testimony to thew Territories by well-planned roads the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, outstanding qualities of Sir Henry Maud the making safe for the future of and the great success of such bodies as as a Governor, as a Civil Servant, acE P('olony's water supply. The Press the Ministering Children's League is due as a map. I have known him intin. recently dwelt on them; and your in no small measure to the keen interest ly, both privately and officially, th, Sir, has covered them. taken by Lady May and the members of the commencement of his career as eer, he made a mark which will the Colony has made marked progress her family. Her work here will be Civil Servant of the Colony some 36 y te indelible from the Colony's history and much of that result is undoubtedly perpetuated in the Institute, which bears ago. I have watched big progress and and we, beyond ordinary
due to his own efforts and to his un- her name, and which has already proved marked throughout his consistent diegret that it has not proved possible for rivalled knowledge of local conditions. its great value as a centre of useful work play of these rarer qualities of him to return and complete the projects In spite of adverse criticisms and op- Among women in the Colony.
scientiousness and of courage while initiated and had in hand. In the positions which were not infrequent, His Those who follow me in speaking to cause a man to stand out amongst its and pastimes of the Colony, Sir Excellency steadfastly and courageously this resolution, and who have known Sir fellow men. I have seen him, in time dry was ever a prominent figure. As carried out whatever he conceived to be Honry and Lady May for far longer than difficulty, in time of danger and in ti keen racing man. yachtsman and good for and in the interests of the Colony. I have, will deal with other aspects of of smoother running of his official car golfer, he affected all by his enthu- Though sparing of words and sparing their life here. As Colonial Secretary but I have never known him falters and no one better realised how, of smiles, as the Chinese once said of during the full term of his Governorship, waver, never known him swerve from lay is an essential complement to work him, His Excellency never spared himself I can bear testimony to his keen per- course which his experience and his dead forms an integral part of our in the discharge of his duties, however sonal interest in the welfare of every pointed out as demanded by the intentional life. His participation in our onerous and irksome. To His Excellency, individual member of the Public Service, committed to his care. Undeterredetinor pastires was highly appreciated therefore, and to Lady May, whose kindly and when he went on leave he was in criticism and undaunted by obstacies, and they never lacked his utmost sup- disposition and bright presence have won communication with the Secretary of pressed unflinchingly forward to rt. And what of the man himself the hearts of all, the Chinese community, State on the subject of the revision of end he had in view, an end be rart of the man as his friends know him wish through us, to express their sense the salaries of the Public Service. I feel failed to achieve. A strong man make par ost loyalty, of abounding humour, of profound gratitude and best wishes. it a great honour to have been so closely fast friendships, and inevitably inet open heart, his friendship, once ac
The motion was carried unanimously associated in public work with such a some hostility; but at all times, and, was never lost. Adversity could and the Councils adjourned. distinguished member of His Majesty's all sides, he commande respect, and S
As a
measure,
HON. MR. LAU CHU-PAK- On behalf of the Chinese Community and my Chinese colleague, I heartily, support the resolution By the retirement of Sir Henry May, the Chinese, in this Colony, have lost a good and sympathetic Governor. During his tenure of office as head of the administration,
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