WU TING FANG
In the reference to the late Sir Kai Ho Kai (see 9-1-34), mention was made of the famous Chinese diplomat, Wu Ting-fang, who became China's Minister to the United States. He was one of Hongkong's most distinguished sons, a product of St. Paul's College, and a summary of the references to him contained in the old records will be given here. Wu Ting-fang commenced his career as Mr. Ng Choy, who was not only the first Chinese barrister-at-law, but was also the first (and only) Police Magistrate Council. He had been called to the Bar in England on January 31, 1877.
The following reference to the admission of the future Minister Wu Ting-fang to the Hongkong Bar is culled from the records of the time.
Mr. Ng Choy was admitted to practise as a barrister in the Supreme Court on May 18, 1877. He was the first Chinese who not only had been called to the English Bar but had been admitted to practise in the Colony. The Chief Justice, Sir John Smale, therefore took the opportunity to offer a few words of encouragement to the new member upon his admission. Mr. Ng Choy had some years before been an interpreter in the Police Court. The motion was made by the Attorney-General in the following terms:
"Before proceeding with the criminal session of the Court, I have to move that your Lordship will admit Mr. Ng Choy as a barrister of this Court. He has produced a certificate from the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, which has been lodged in Court, and affidavits have been lodged by Mr. Francis and himself verifying the signatures and proving he is the person mentioned therein. I have much pleasure therefore in moving Mr. Ng Choy's admission. I believe he is the first Chinese who has ever been admitted to practise as a barrister in any Colony, and I hope that at some future day others will follow in his footsteps."
The Chief Justice, addressing Mr. Ng Choy, said:
"I have looked through these affidavits as it was my duty to do, and I see they are all in form. They were not absolutely necessary in the case of Mr. Ng Choy because he is well known here, and it is so very notorious that he has been made a barrister. The motion is that Mr. Ng Choy may be admitted to practise as a barrister in this Court, and I have very great pleasure in granting it. You will now be admitted to practise, Mr. Ng Choy. I am glad to see a Chinaman, who was educated at St. Paul's College here and who for years acted as an interpreter in the Police Court, has become a member of the English Bar. In England every office becomes open to talent without favour or affection. A distinguished American statesman has become, and now is an ornament of the English Bar, and I daresay the Bar will gladly hail the time when a Chinaman shall distinguish himself as much as the eminent counsel to whom I refer. I have seen stranger things than that happen."
On January 19, 1880, Mr. Ng Choy was gazetted a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. He was appointed acting Police Magistrate in May following, on a reshuffling of posts owing to the Colonial Secretary of the time, Mr. Marsh, going on leave.
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