Western Pacific
pp. 30-31 · Read in the full issue
Gass To Take Up
Post In December
From a Hong Kong correspondent The new High Commissioi for the Western Pacific, Mich
Irving Gass, expects to be on
way to take up his appointm toward the end of Decemt Mr. Gass, who will succ< Sir Robert Foster, is preset Acting Governor of Hong Ko while Sir David Trench is leave in England.
Mr. Gass, who is a former Cl Secretary to the Western Pacific E Commission, will be sadly missed Hong Kong, where he did valm work as Acting Governor during Communist disturbances of 1 i summer. In fact, many Hong K organisations do not want to see 1 go, and already there is speculal that he might become Governor Hong Kong when Sir David Tre completes his present term in 19 Asked to comment on this ] sibility, Mr. Gass joked that had nothing to do with him si he did not appoint Governors. Pres further, he replied, “Personally think there is not the slightest ] sibility at all.”
Mr. Gass acted as High O missioner several times during
Latest photo of Mr. Michael Gass.
n as Chief Secretary of the stern Pacific High Commission n 1958 to 1965. hiring this time he was closely >ciated with Sir David, who was h Commissioner from 1960 to 3.
Ir. Gass will leave Hong Kong r Trench returns from leave on ember 16. orn in April, 1916, Michael Gass educated at King’s School, ton, and Christ Church Oxford, was appointed Chief Secretary VPHC in July, 1958, and became g Kong’s Colonial Secretary in ember, 1965. He began his er with the Colonial Service in , 1939, as Administrative Officer ic Gold Coast, now Ghana, where ivas appointed Assistant District imissioner. He saw military ser with the Gold Coast Regiment ast Africa, and Burma, and was j mentioned in dispatches. After war he resumed his Gold Coast it as District Commissioner, and promoted Senior Assistant jtary, 1951, Assistant Regional er, 1953, and Permanent Secre and Regional Officer, 1957. is next move was to the Western ip- The Hong Kong newspapers lined his new appointment with question, “Will he be our next ‘mor?” Mr. Gass, who certainly ?e knighted following his appoint , will lose money to take on the He has a great interest in the i Pacific and was popular in olomons.
Robert Foster, whom he suc , is to become Governor of A formal marine court of ry at Suva in October found ;he master of the MV Wallisien grossly negligent in his handling * ship shortly before it grounded lukutolu Reef, Yacata Island, ay 8, last year. ! court found that Captain J - Lamberty was incompetent, ight not generally incompetent, lation to particular aspects of avigation and handling of the etween her departure from Suva be grounding. ; court recommended that he 1 be severely censured, en she grounded, the Wallisien tons) was about 18 miles south r dead reckoning or intended >n, the court said. 3mpetent steering by one or helmsmen was probably a con ng cause of the grounding, the found.