SIR MATTHEW NATHAN
V
(Contd.)
Colony, in which he acquired his first experience of colonial government, bear but little analogy with our own Colony. In Sierra Leone there are practically no industries at present, the inhabitants of Free Town and the Colony generally being traders and shopkeepers doing little beyond the planting of cassava, which forms the staple food of the people. In the Protectorate the inhabitants plant so-called farms, chiefly of rice and cassava, and collect natural products for sale to the various merchants and traders of the Colony.
"In 1900, after four years of peace a serious rebellion broke out at Ashanti. Sir F. Hodgson, who was then the Governor, visited Kumassi, and was there besieged by the Ashantis, the town being closely invested. Provisions ran short, and a part of the garrison with the Governor cut their way out; the rest were relieved by Colonel (afterwards Sir J.) Willcocks, commanding the Ashanti Field Force, on July 15, after severe fighting. The Ashantis were subsequently thoroughly routed at Obassa. Ultimately, in the beginning of 1901, peace was restored. The commander, Lieut. Colonel Willcocks, was promoted Colonel and created a K.C.M.G. Sir F. Hodgson was appointed Governor of Barbados, and Major Nathan took his place on the Gold Coast."
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In December, 1903, the Telegraph commented:
"Sir Matthew Nathan of Pembridge Square, whilom a member of the famous firm of De la Rue and Company, and was born on the 3rd of January 1862. He is thus only forty-two years of age. He joined the Royal Engineers on May 18th, 1880, from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where he received the Pollock medal, as the most distinguished cadet of his term, and the sword for exemplary good conduct. His subsequent career was a most distinguished one.
"For several years, Sir Matthew Nathan was a very active and valuable worker on the Anglo-Jewish Association, and when on his departure from England, to take up duties in the Gold Coast, he resigned his membership on the Council and Executive Committee, he was elected a vice-president of the Association both in recognition of his services and of the honour conferred upon him by the late Queen.
"Some time ago, one of our London contemporaries described him as a charming fellow whose faith was no bar to his immense popularity in the 'White man's grave.'
He wears a small military moustache and is squarely and powerfully built. His hair is coal-black, and he has merry dark-grey eyes. He is a good sportsman, and in character may be summed up as a strong, just man."
Sir Matthew's regime in Hong Kong proved a popular and successful one.
Yesterday we had a reference to the career of Sir Matthew Nathan, who was Governor of Hong Kong from 1903 to 1907. His was an interesting regime, and just prior to his departure, Sir Matthew was presented with an address on behalf of the residents of the Colony, which set out the many movements and reforms in which he had been closely concerned. In April, 1907, the S.C.M. Post published this address, subsequently presented to H.E. the Governor, on the day of his departure:
"To His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hong Kong and its Dependencies and the New Territories thereof, and Vice Admiral of the same.