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has never been a Chinese consul resident in Hongkong. The appointment, announced by Britain in July 1891, was cancelled before it could become effective.
Ho A-mei, however, continued his efforts to have an office in Hongkong that could watch over Chinese trading interests. In 1895, he took the leading role in the opening of a Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
WHEN TELEGRAPH CAME TO THE SUPPORT OF A-MEI
By the time the translation of Ho A-mei's letter urging his countrymen not to attend the meeting called to protest against the appointment of a Chinese consul in Hongkong was published in the English press, word had been received that the appointment had been cancelled. The meeting was never held.
Though Ho A-mei's endorsement of a consul did not receive the support of most of the European community, it did receive a favourable notice in the Hongkong Telegraph.
This paper was often found on the opposite side of any question under discussion in the press. It was the voice of minority opinion within the expatriate community. It was also generally sympathetic to Chinese viewpoints.
When news of the appointment first broke in Hongkong, it humorously commented on the reaction of the daily press. It said that its competitor had earned for itself the name of "granny."
In fact, to the Telegraph it seemed “the old lady was 'took bad' over the innovation of the establishment of a Chinese Consulate in the Colony”.
It called for a less emotional reaction and a sober consideration of the question. It maintained there was no reason for such alarm. Hongkong should have more confidence in itself.
It claimed that Hongkong had the ability and the means to control its Chinese population: "No matter how his nationals may