SIX months into Hong Kong's brave new era, is there anything from days gone by that you hanker after or recall with growing nostalgia? For those of us whose day-to-day life generally revolves round things equine and sporting, the short answer would be in the negative. It really doesn't matter whose flag is fluttering outside Sha Tin or the Hong Kong Stadium, what goes on inside has always had considerably more relevance.
But I confess to having missed something on New Year's Day. That was the page of the paper taken up - almost nine columns of it - in previous years by the Honours List.
It was here that Hong Kong's great and good, the well-meaning, the honest and the faithful were given their just reward on the nod of the Governor. Outside the auspicious categories listed, there were probably a few dodgy characters who made it as well, but let's be positive and charitable.
Invariably in the annual List, I would come across a few familiar names. None more so than in the section devoted to Asia's Finest. There was inevitably someone there whom I'd encountered more than once - socially, not in their line of duty I hasten to add - whose devotion to the cause had earned at least the Colonial Police Medal.
Infrequently, if understandably, there would be a sportsperson honoured with an OBE or MBE. Given the general lack of success in our sporting endeavours, it is not surprising that the path to Government House or Buckingham Palace was not worn bare by Hong Kong awardees.
The List, as far as Hong Kong is concerned, is history now but it was truly pleasing to read that Tony Blair - or whoever advises him on these matters - really did a good job with the sporting honours this New Year.
