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CHAIRMAN:-One final matter remains to be dealt with, and it is a sad one. It seems to be my misfortune during my short chairmanship to be continually saying good-bye; and of course this time it is to Mr. Hawkins who will be leaving in a few days.
During the past few weeks the departments of Government with which Mr. Hawkins has been chiefly associated during his long service, and the various organizations and institutions to which Mr. Hawkins, and Mrs. Hawkins, have contributed so notably, and in fact the public in general, have had an opportunity of expressing the extent of their indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins for what they have done. It is difficult to find new phrases to express, on behalf of the Urban Council, what we all feel about Mr. Hawkins' departure from Hong Kong.
Mr. Hawkins first became an official member of this Council in May, 1947, and though his service has not been continuous since that date he may I think be regarded in a sense as our oldest serving member.
How often in Select Committee, when discussion seemed to be rather floundering or going round in circles, have a few well chosen words from Mr. Hawkins put matters in their right perspective or on their true course again. We shall profoundly miss, Sir, your experience, your wisdom and your fine judgement. But we are more than glad that in your successor we shall have someone who knows Hong Kong well, and who has already served here with distinction.
Mr. Hawkins, on behalf of all members of the Council, past and present, may I thank you warmly for your long service to this Council, and may I wish you and your wife the greatest possible good fortune and success in the future. (Applause).
DR. GOSANO:-Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the nominated members of this Council I would also like to say that being an old member of this Colony I have known Mr. Hawkins since about 1932 when we used to play cricket against one another—he used to play for Civil Service. A thing I must say about Mr. Hawkins is his determination and quietness of spirit which overcomes all opposition, especially when the speeches get on to be long and tedious. I will miss his doodling very badly. It is a mark of a man that he should have his own characteristics, and
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it is no use for me to say anything more about Mr. Hawkins because at all the dinners everyone hears about it and I am afraid he must be fed up with it too. In any case, our wishes are always with him. He is really a part of Hong Kong and we who are old members of the Colony like to feel that wherever he is, he will still be a part of Hong Kong. (Applause).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I point out that in this particular case Dr. Gosano has spoken on behalf of all the Unofficial Members and not on behalf of the Nominated members.
MR. HAWKINS:-Mr. Chairman, Dr. Gosano, Gentlemen: I have been saying this over the last three months and really when it boils down to it you cannot say thank you except by saying thank you, and I do say thank you. Thank you all for the very nice things you have said about me and thank you for your comradeship and your co-operation. You, Mr. Chairman, have referred to my position in Select Committees. Well, as you know, the position of an Official Member who is not actually concerned by virtue of his job in the many functions of the Council, well, in open debate usually his rule is that of maintaining a golden silence and the silencer the more golden! In Select Committee it is a different matter and I have on occasion spoken perhaps in words more forceful than parliamentary. If I have at any time unwittingly offended, you have not shown it and if I ask your pardon now it is in the certain knowledge that it has already been given. I do, however, thank you one and all for the spirit with which we have been able to work together, and although I cannot quite truthfully say that I shall miss all the manifestations of the Urban Council—I hate those early morning meetings for one thing—I shall look back on my service with this Council with pleasure and with affection. Thank you all very much. (Applause).
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council stands adjourned to Tuesday, 4th June, 1957 at 4 o'clock.
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Page 35 of 115
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-One final matter remains to be dealt with, and it is a sad one. It seems to be my misfortune during my short chairmanship to be continually saying good-bye; and of course this time it is to Mr. Hawkins who will be leaving in a few days.
During the past few weeks the departments of Government with which Mr. Hawkins has been chiefly associated during his long service, and the various organizations and institutions to which Mr. Hawkins, and Mrs. Hawkins, have contributed so notably, and in fact the public in general, have had an opportuni- ty of expressing the extent of their indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins for what they have done. It is difficult to find new phrases to express, on behalf of the Urban Council, what we all feel about Mr. Hawkins' departure from Hong Kong.
Mr. Hawkins first became an official member of this Council in May, 1947, and though his service has not been continuous since that date he may I think be regarded in a sense as our oldest serving member.
How often in Select Committee, when discussion seemed to be rather floundering or going round in circles, have a few well chosen words from Mr. Hawkins put matters in their right per- spective or on their true course again. We shall profoundly miss, Sir, your experience, your wisdom and your fine judgement. But we are more than glad that in your successor we shall have some one who knows Hong Kong well, and who has already served here with distinction.
Mr. Hawkins, on behalf of all members of the Council, past and present, may 1 thank you warmly for your long service to this Council, and may I wish you and your wife the greatest possible good fortune and success in the future. (Applause).
DR. GOSANO:-Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the nominated members of this Council I would also like to say that being an old member of this Colony I have known Mr. Hawkins since about 1932 when we used to play cricket against one another-he used to play for Civil Service. A thing I must say about Mr. Hawkins is his determination and quietness of spirit which over- comes all opposition, especially when the speeches get on to be long and tedious. I will miss his doodling very badly. It is a mark of a man that he should have his own characteristics, and
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
55
it is no use for me to say anything more about Mr. Hawkins because at all the dinners everyone hears about it and I am afraid he must be fed up with it too. In any case, our wishes are always with him. He is really a part of Hong Kong and we who are old members of the Colony like to feel that wherever he is, he will still be a part of Hong Kong. (Applause).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I point out that in this particular case Dr. Gosano has spoken on behalf of all the Unofficial Members and not on behalf of the Nominated members.
MR. HAWKINS :-Mr. Chairman, Dr. Gosano, Gentlemen : I have been saying this over the last three months and really when it boils down to it you cannot say thank you except by saying thank you, and I do say thank you. Thank you all for the very nice things you have said about me and thank you for your comradeship and your co-operation. You, Mr. Chairman, have referred to my position in Select Committees. Well, as you know, the position of an Official Member who is not actually concerned by virtue of his job in the many functions of the Council, well, in open debate usually his rule is that of main- taining a golden silence and the silencer the more golden! In Select Committee it is a different matter and I have on occasion spoken perhaps in words more forceful than parliamentary. If I have at any time unwittingly offended, you have not shown it and if I ask your pardon now it is in the certain knowledge that it has already been given. I do, however, thank you one and all for the spirit with which we have been able to work together, and although I cannot quite truthfully say that I shall miss all the manifestations of the Urban Council--I hate those early morning meetings for one thing-I shall look back on my service with this Council with pleasure and with affection. Thank you all very much. (Applause).
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council stands adjourned to Tuesday, 4th June, 1957 at 4 o'clock.
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