今晨我到聖約翰座堂(St. John’s Cathedral)出席鍾逸傑爵士的追悼儀式。
鍾爵士於1957年加入香港政府，退休時官至布政司(即現時政務司司長)，1987年港督衛奕信爵士來港履新前，他曾署任港督長達四個月，其後衛奕信爵士正式上任港督，他亦於同年離開政府，其後出任房委會主席，盡心盡力服務香港數十年。
當年他效力政府期間最為人津津樂道的，就是擔任新界政務司時大力推動新市鎮發展。沙田、屯門及荃灣等新市鎮之所以有今天的發展，鍾爵士功不可沒。除了發展新界及地方行政外，眾所周知他熱愛足球、藝術及康樂文化，積極參與社區建設，推動地方選舉，涉足層面廣泛，一生交遊廣闊。因此今天其追悼會參與人士眾多，除了三位前任及現任行政長官：曾蔭權先生、梁振英先生以及林鄭月娥女士均有出席外，政商界名人亦紛紛前來悼念，現場估計至少有過千人出席，有些朋友甚至要站立在教堂內、外，參與追悼儀式。為鍾爵士扶靈者除了他的至親外，亦包括新界鄉議局主席劉業強先生，曾擔任足總主席多年、本地足球界代表許晉奎先生以及前政務官霍文，行政長官則負責宣讀悼詞。鍾爵士人緣極佳，對香港社會貢獻良多，從眾多人士特地出席追悼儀式，已充分顯現他如何深得人心。
鍾爵士熱愛中國文化，不少香港人都喜歡稱呼他「鍾叔叔」。他退休後仍然心繫香港，選擇留港定居，更擔任不少大學生的導師，積極參與慈善工作，包括內地教育的發展，在社會上不同範疇繼續作出貢獻。難得有一位英籍政務官，為香港作出重大貢獻，堅定支持一國兩制。此外他亦提拔了多名政務官(包括我本人)，我於1980年開始加入新界民政署(後來改為政務署)，在鍾爵士麾下工作及學習。他對我儼如慈父，多年來指導及支持有加，如今他離我們而去，實在令人非常傷感。
在此再向鍾爵士致以最崇高敬意，相信不少港人與我同樣永遠懷念他，其高尚情操及對香港作出的貢獻，將長留我們心中。
Today I attended a sad event, the memorial service at St. John’s Cathedral in honour of Sir David Akers-Jones. Over a thousand people from many walks of life attended the service, with many standing in or outside the Cathedral to show respect.
David joined Hong Kong Government from Malaya in 1957 and retired from the position of Chief Secretary in 1987, after the arrival of Sir David Wilson as Governor. Prior to that, he acted as Governor for four months. David’s contributions to Hong Kong in a wide range of areas — New Territories development, housing, community building, football, arts and culture and district administration — are fully borne out by the large crowds who came to remember and honour him this morning.
He was known by many in an endearing manner as “Uncle Chung” (鍾叔叔). The Chungs Clansmen’s Association adored him and adopted him as one of his own.
He was a strong supporter of “One Country, Two Systems” and continued to contribute to Hong Kong after the Reunification. David trained and inspired many young people, including me. In his retirement, he mentored many young undergrads and organized many charities. Hong Kong was uppermost in his heart and mind until his final moments. His love of Hong Kong is an inspiration to us all. He will be sorely missed and warmly remembered.
May David rest in peace.
