61560-1919-Correspondence-with-regard-to-the-resignation-of-Sir-Henry-May — Page 1

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, OCTOBER 3, 1919.

No. 465.---The following Correspondence is published for general information :-

No. 185.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 6th June, 1919.

MY LORD,With reference to my telegram of the 22nd January, I have the honour to inform Your Lordship of the proceedings which have been taken in Hongkong in con- nection with the resignation by Sir HENRY MAY of the office of Governor.

2. A joint session of the Executive and Legislative Councils was held on the 25th January for the purpose of passing a resolution. I enclose a copy of the Hansard report of the meeting. I attach also a copy* of a letter in which I informed Sir HENRY MAY of the proceedings, and a copy of his letter in reply. This correspondence was published in the Gazette.

3. The Community has decided that Sir HENRY MAY'S eminent services to the Colony will be most suitably commemorated by the erection of his statue, and the unofficial members of the Councils have made arrangements for the collection of subscriptions in small sums, in order that as many persons as possible may have the opportunity of parti- cipating. I consider this proposal a good one and I hope it will be carried into effect. The ladies of the Colony are arranging for the presentation of a book of photographs to Lady MAY.

4. I have now received Your Lordship's telegram of the 2nd June in which you report that His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to appoint Sir HENRY MAY to be a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. I attach an extract* from the Hansard report of a meeting of the Legisla- tive Council held on the 5th June at which a congratulatory resolution was passed. This high recognition of Sir HENRY MAY's long and honourable career has been received with much satisfaction in the Colony.

5. The sudden attack of illness which led to Sir HENRY Mar's resignation has evoked many expressions of the deepest sympathy, and I may say for myself that it was with profound regret that I received the news. The six years during which I worked under Sir HENRY MAY as Colonial Secretary covered a period of great developments in this Colony and my close association with him during the years of the war made me appre- ciate his high qualities as an Administrator.

I have &c.,

(Sd.)

CLAUD SEVERN, Officer Administering the Government.

The Right Honourable

Viscount MILNERr, G.C.B.,

dc..

&c.,

&c.

HONGKONG. No. 409.

DOWNING STREET,

20th August, 1919.

SIR,I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 185 of the 6th June with regard to the resignation of Sir HENRY MAY and to inform you that I have read with interest, and have much pleasure in observing, the high appreciation of Sir HENRY MAY's services entertained by the Community.

I have &c.,

(Sd.)

MILNER.

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

* Not published.