1962 — Page 150

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course, no inanimate object such as flowers could be expected to champion the cause of the underprivileged, particularly of Kowloon, as nobly and as eloquently as Dr. BELL has done. I was appalled to hear, Mr. Chairman, that Dr. BELL has endeavoured to find five replacements for the Council, and I said it was all very well to have one lady member but certainly we should not have five of them all at once. I am sure that all mere males in this Council will share that view.

As regards Mr. Ernest WONG, we have been associated also in other organizations and I am one with you, Mr. Chairman, in hoping that Mr. WONG will continue to lend his talent and ability in the public service in Hong Kong. (Applause)

DR. BELL:- Mr. Chairman, I must take this last opportunity to rise to my feet and speak in the Council to say "Thank you very much for the tributes you have all paid". I have a feeling that if your predecessor, who departed on Saturday and who is a fellow countryman of mine were here he might have said "Will ye no come back again". (Laughter). Well I just might. Those who are feeling sad, do cheer up (Laughter). I heard something rather complimentary the other day: that there are one or two people who are glad that I am leaving the Council. When you think that one out it is a surprise, but I think it is complimentary, and to them I would say "Well, be careful, I might be back." Some people have asked me why I am not standing again, and my first reply to them was perhaps it is a 7-year itch; but quite honestly it was for personal reasons, for the time being, but I hope very much, perhaps in subsequent elections, to stand again and to give you all further trouble. You have all been extremely kind to me while I have been on the Council and most tolerant on many occasions when I have been indignant and cross about things. I hope that the new coalition candidates are going to be extremely successful, and I am quite sure that the lady who is, I hope, going to replace myself will give those who are glad a harder time than I have myself, and those who are sad will cheer up once more. Just one point I want to say on the last occasion on my feet here for the time being, and that is, that I hope some of you next month are going to point out on my behalf the tremendous increase in birth rate over death rate of flies this year in the Colony. (Laughter).

With these words, Mr. Chairman, I bid you all "au revoir". (Applause).

MR. ERNEST WONG:- Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Mr. SALES for your kind words. I am happy to have served the interests of this cosmopolitan community these four years, by contributing my share through the auspices of the Urban Council. In parting, I have to say that I have found the work most interesting. I have enjoyed the close co-operation of my colleagues, whose high civic principles and spirit in

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all undertakings, working as a team for the good of the public, command not only admiration but also every due approbation. I would like to thank the Council's staff whose devotion to duty has been so commendable. After resuming the status of John Citizen for whose well-being and welfare the Council has been persistently working, let me say I will not be one jot less interested in the work of the Urban Council, and if at any time it is felt that I may be of use, please do not hesitate to impound my service. (Applause).

ADJOURNMENT.

CHAIRMAN:- That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 2nd April, 1963, at 2.30 p.m.

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