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4
In postwar Hong Kong, in the winter of 1959-60, a small group of dedicated persons set themselves the task of reestablishing a Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society here. Their initiative met with public support, and the new Branch got off to a good start. Though not a founder member, my own association with it goes back thirty-five years, when I joined in the first year of its existence. I have been an office-bearer for all but the first six years; and during the long period of my government service in Hong Kong and continuing into my retirement, my work with and for the Society has been among the most meaningful and satisfying of all my various activities.
The task which our founders set themselves was to further the good work done by our predecessors. The keynote address was provided by Professor F.S. Drake in a talk entitled "The Study of Asia: a Heritage and a Task". We had, he reminded us, received something precious from them and must, in our turn, add to the stock of hard-earned knowledge, handing it down to the next generation. I believe we have done our best to carry out his injunctions. An annual Journal has been published from the outset, with over thirty issues to date, together with a dozen or so "Occasional Publications". Though far from being devoted exclusively to Hong Kong, they represent a major contribution to its history, and contain more information on the territory's past than any of their contemporary periodicals, here or overseas. Through another regular activity - our Visits Programme - the Branch has helped members and their friends to broaden their local knowledge and understanding of the place and its people. In these several ways, we have contributed to the stability of Hong Kong over the years and have helped to nurture the growing sense of identity that has characterized its recent development.
However, we have to admit that, unlike our Shanghai counterparts, we shall not leave a magnificent premises for our successors. The Hong Kong Branch's modest membership and limited resources have not permitted this. Land and housing have always been very expensive for societies to acquire without government assistance or substantial private or corporate donations, and these have not been forthcoming.
The RAS Library Collection
7
From the outset, following the example set by our two predecessors, it
130
4
In postwar Hong Kong, in the winter of 1959-60, a small group of dedicated persons set themselves the task of reestablishing a Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society here. Their initiative met with public support, and the new Branch got off to a good start. Though not a founder member, my own association with it goes back thirty-five years, when I joined in the first year of its existence. I have been an office-bearer for all but the first six years; and during the long period of my government service in Hong Kong and continuing into my retirement, my work with and for the Society has been among the most meaningful and satisfying of all my various activities.
The task which our founders set themselves was to further the good work done by our predecessors. The keynote address was provided by Professor F.S. Drake in a talk entitled "The Study of Asia: a Heritage and a Task". We had, he reminded us, received something precious from them and must, in our turn, add to the stock of hard-earned knowledge, handing it down to the next generation. I believe we have done our best to carry out his injunctions. An annual Journal has been published from the out-set, with over thirty issues to date, together with a dozen or so "Occasional Publications". Though far from being devoted exclusively to Hong Kong, they represent a major contribution to its history, and contain more information on the territory's past than any of their contemporary periodicals, here or overseas. Through another regular activity our Visits Programme - the Branch has helped members and their friends to broaden their local knowledge and understanding of the place and its people. In these several ways, we have contributed to the stability of Hong Kong over the years and have helped to nurture the growing sense of identity that has characterized its recent development.
However, we have to admit that, unlike our Shanghai counterparts, we shall not leave a magnificent premises for our successors. The Hong Kong Branch's modest membership and limited resources have not permitted this. Land and housing have always been very expensive for societies to acquire without government assistance or substantial private or corporate donations, and these have not been forthcoming. "
The RAS Library Collection
7
From the outset, following the example set by our two predecessors, it
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