CO129-595-4 Governor's report on arrival in Hong Kong and resumption of duty 8-5-1946 - 2-7-1946 — Page 13

2.

13

Enclosures

Nos. 2 & 3.

4.

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 1st May, 1946, in the presence of

over three hundred representative members of all communities in the Colony,

the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt was run down and the Union Flag

was broken over Government House. A salute of seventeen guns was fired by

H.M.S. "Tyne".

5.

At 10.05 a.m. Admiral Harcourt read the Proclamation

determining the Military Administration and delivered a short address of

welcome. The text of the Proclamation and the speech are attached as

enclosures Nos. 2 and 3 respectively. An address of welcome on behalf of

the whole community was then read by Sir Robert Ho Tung. An English

Enclosure No.4. version of this speech, a copy of which is attached as enclosure No.4, was

Enclosure No.5.

read by Mr. Leo D'Almada e Castro. I then delivered my reply to these

addresses. A copy of the text of this speech, in the course of which I read

His Majesty's gracious message to the people of Hong Kong, and also the

announcement which I had been authorized to make on behalf of His Majesty's

Goverment on the subject of the proposed constitutional changes in the

Colony, is attached as enclosure No.5. Finally a Cantonese translation of

my speech was read by Mr. B. Wong Tape. All speeches were broadcast

together with a running commentary on the ceremony.

6.

Immediately after the departure of the guests the Acting

Chief Justice and the Clerk of Councils took the prescribed oaths at

Government House. The Legislative Council then met in the Council Chamber,

Colonial Secretariat, and after the oath of allegiance had been taken by

the members of the Council the necessary urgent legislation was passed,

the meeting lasting about half an hour.

7.

At 2.15 p.m. Admiral Harcourt after saying goodbye to me

at Government House drove to Queen's Pier where after appropriate ceremony

and after bidding farewell to a very large gathering he boarded the Cruiser

H.M.S. "Argonaut" which sailed shortly afterwards.

8.

You, Sir, are already very well aware of the distinguished

services rendered by Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt in the course of his

administration of the Government of this Colony, and of the deep debt of

gratitude which is owed to him for the great measure of recovery and

rehabilitation that was achieved in Hong Kong under his most capable and

energetic