In January, the Khedive's accession day, which is a celebration of the Khedive's pardon, was marked by the release of all the prisoners of Denshway, with the approval of His Majesty the King's government. They were released after serving approximately one and a half years of their sentences.

In February of the same year, Mustafa Kamel Pasha, the leader of the National Party and owner of Al-Liwa newspaper, passed away at the age of thirty-four, after a period of illness. Those around him had anticipated his death. His funeral was attended by a large crowd, mostly effendis and students from all the secondary and higher schools in Cairo, who accompanied his coffin in a procession to the cemetery.

I say that the Egyptian government is now suffering a severe loss with the departure of Sir William Garstin, who has decided to retire from service. A British director has been appointed to the Suez Canal Company's board of directors. He is one of the irrigation officials who were brought from India in the early days of the occupation. It was thanks to him that Egypt's wealth increased so greatly. I do not have the space to elaborate on the many great irrigation projects that were completed during his tenure, under his supervision and control, the most important of which is the Aswan Dam. Lord Cromer said of it: "Sir William Garstin is the most trusted man, without doubt, among the living in matters related to the Nile. His work will remain the best way to serve the waters of the Blue Nile and the White Nile for the good of Egypt and Sudan. Future irrigation projects will rely on him for many years to come. In addition to his talents and skill in his profession, no British official in the Egyptian government has gained the affection of the Egyptians as Sir William Garstin has. He had contact with all classes of society and won their love, so much so that even the harshest critics of the British administration were forced by public opinion to exclude him from their criticism. It is no wonder that people mourn his departure, all without exception. Mr. Webb will take his place as advisor to the Ministry of Public Works, after having spent years as the backbone of all irrigation-related matters.

I hope in conclusion that progress has continued in all government affairs in the past year, as it usually has. However, whatever has been achieved is due to the Khedive and his ministers for their assistance, which came from their generous hearts, and their agreement to work in harmony and sincerity with the British officials in the Egyptian government.