XN000022-1973-04-25 — Page 26

Wednesday, April 25, 1973

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Mr. Sayer is the Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation and Director of the Mercantile Bank Limited. He was born in

London in January 1924. He was educated at the Millwead Preparatory

School, Shrewsbury, and Peak School, Hong Kong. He first joined the Hong

Kong and Shanghai Bank in 1947 serving in London, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia,

Burma and Japan, He was appointed General Manager in 1969 and Director

the following year. He became Deputy Chairman in 1971 and Chairman last

year. He is a member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee and a Board

member of the Community Chest.

The Hon. H.J.C. Browne was nominated for appointment to Legislative

Council by the Unofficial Justices of the Peace in April 1968.

Tradition

By a long-standing tradition the Governor has asked Justices of

the Peace to nominate one of their members for the Governor's and subsequently

the Secretary of State's approval to serve on the Legislative Council,

although this tradition has never been embodied in the formal constitution

of the Colony set out in the Royal Instructions. While the fine contribution

that such members have made in the Legislative Council is fully recognised,

as is that made to the community by Justices of the Peace generally, the

practice of calling for a nomination from this particular group does appear

to have become somewhat inappropriate and even anachronistic in the present

circumstances of Hong Kong.

Since all members of both the Executive and Legislative Councils,

including the two new appointees, are Justices of the Peace, the views of

Justices of the Peace will obviously continue to be well represented.

/After careful