CO129-517-5 The visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Hong Kong 2-5-1929 - 23-5-1929 — Page 17

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Prince Henry shook hands with each of the notables on the pier, expressing to the Hon. Mr. T. H. King (Acting Captain Superintend- ent of Police) his great appreciation of the police arrangements at all functions during the visit.

His Royal Highness then embark- ed on the launch Britannia, and as it left the pier a salute was fired from the Kowloon battery and the warships in Harbour.

A strong detachment of police. Indian, Chinese and European, was on duty in the vicinity of the pier to keep back the crowd, comprised mainly of waterfront and office coolies who had assembled to watch the departing familities,

All the ships in Harbour, includ- the merchant vessels of all nations had dressed ship for the occasion and the men of H.M.S. Suffolk had manned ship in honour of their dis- tinguished guest.

Ten aeroplanes from Kai Tak circled overhead, and formed an escort as the Suffolk, having slipped from her buoy, steamed out of har- bour.

PRINCE HENRY'S THANKS.

MESSAGE TO H.E. THE

GOVERNOR.

"I MUCH ENJOYED MY STAY."

H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester has sent the following wireless message, dated April 28, from H.M.S. Suffolk to H.E. the Gover- nor (Sir Cecil Clementi, K. C.M.G.). The exact wording was as follows:

[C To Governor, Hong Kong, from H.R.H. the Duke of Glou- cester, H.M.S. Suffolk.---I much enjoyed my stay in Hong Kong and wish to thank you for your very kind hospitality to myself and members of my Mission.

"Please convey to all the offi- cers and officials concerned an expression of my warm apprecia-

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tion of the admirable arrange- ments made for my reception and to the British and Chinese com- munities for their generous wel- come and entertainment.

"I shall ever have the happiest recollections of my first visit to Hong Kong and we all wish we could have stayed longer.'

"}

H.E. the Governor's Reply. H.E. the Governor replied a.s follows:-

"To H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester, H.M.S. Suffolk, from Governor, Hong Kong. The gracious message of Your Royal Highness is greatly appreciated by the whole Colony and by the officers and officials mentioned to whom I have duly conveyed it.

"We were delighted to have this opportunity of entertaining Your Royal Highness and the, members of your Mission, and we cordially share your wish that it might have been possible for Your Royal Highness to stay a little longer among us.

We wish Your Royal Highness and your Mission all success and a pleasant voyage,'

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF

CHINESE HOSPITALITY.

The following letter from II.E. the Governor has been received by Sir Shou Son Chow:-

C

My dear Sir Shou Son,- Please accept my sincere thanks for all that you and the whole Chinese community did for the entertainment of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. The Chinese address was very beautiful, and nothing could have been better than the arrangements made for the Chinese luncheon party at the Kam Ling Restaurant.

"I know that His Royal High- ness admired the address, and much enjoyed the entertainment, and I shall be glad if you will convey an expression of his ap- preciation and mine to all con- cerned. Yours very sincerely,

"C. CLEMENTI."