Lai See | Springtime for Hitler somewhere over a law awards rainbow

There was unexpected entertainment at the Euromoney Asia Women in Business Law Awards recently. The high point of the evening was a lifetime achievement award for former secretary of justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie, who surprisingly failed to win the standing ovation some might feel she deserved. This may not be unconnected with her recent reproaches of the judiciary.

Leung's award was preceded by a keynote speech from Edith Shih, group general counsel at Hutchison Whampoa, who convincingly used statistics to highlight the achievements of and remaining challenges for women lawyers, before announcing she would close by capturing the spirit of her presentation with a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

With Judy Garland-like aplomb, Shih, who is a soprano soloist with the Hong Kong Oratorio Society, grabbed a microphone, cued background music, and warbled her way through the entire number. The spectacle took on added edge as, near the end, she stepped off the stage to wander among her nervous-looking audience, urging them vainly to join in. It wasn't quite Springtime for Hitler, but close.

Yesterday we reflected on the Tamar government offices project and what happened to its original concept. One of its informing principles was "People Will Be Connected", and this supposedly reflects the site "as an accessible pleasant gathering place".

However, this concept doesn't quite square with the footbridge from the Tamar government offices that crosses Harcourt Road. Instead of going directly into Queensway Plaza in Admiralty Centre, it stops about 10cm short of the plaza wall and goes down to the pavement, thus requiring the public to change levels. Former chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen's office - after some pressure - explained this absurdity.