Mir, Clear in proposing the health of Sir Alexander Duff was pointed ly brief He said:—''Neither time, inadequate words or naval preferences permit of reference to the past, or to the Admiral's long and distinguished career, of which we, his fellow-countrymen, are so justly proud For the present we regret the few opportunities we have had of entertaining you Sir, and I can assure you that, with the experience gained upon those occasions, we would much rather be saying welcome than farewell. 'For the future we wish you a long and happy life, and still more distinguished career. As last night you sounded the death knell] of our hopes for_your possible return to the Far East, we can only now wish you with much regret 'Goodbye'?
Sir Alexander Duff replied also briefly but cordiallly, for "time and tide wait for no man" and both insisted that H. M. S. Hawkins most soon be on the move. He said how much he appreciated the kindness of the China Association in inviting him to this lunch and in arranging it specially so as to suit his convenience, or rather that of H. M. S. Hawkins. He understood that the China Association was mainly a political institution and naval officers were not permitted to talk politics, but he would like to dwell once more on what he had spoken of in that room the night before, namely, the reorganization of H. M. Fleet in the Far East, which was now truly a fleet in being, worthy of the prestige and interests of Great Britain, something of which his successor might truly be proud. He hoped and felt indeed quite sure that the British community in the Far East would welcome that successor with the same warmth and friendship that they had ever extended to him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.