Page
ย
DEATH OF THE HON. MR.
P. H. HOLYOAK.
A GREAT LOSS TO THE COLONY,
We deeply regret to record the death of the Hon. Mr. Percy Hobson Holyoak which occurred in England on the 25th .. inst.
THE
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7TH,
GREAT CITIZEN OF ADMIRAL SEMINOFF.
HONGKONG.
[BY AN OLD FRIEND.
If ever there WAS a Freemason who
RELIEVED OF HIS POST IN CANTON.
grasp of local problems, the gift A of seeing into the heart of a question and the ability to conduct the proceedings of Committees and Boards with efficiency and dispatch It was remarked of him; in a report by the Joint Committee of
THE TALK OF WAR. I think it was John Morley who said the General and the Chinese Chamber of
EFROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT] Commerce who arranged the Hongkong of Joseph Chamberlain that he posseIN- section of the British Empire Exhibition the genius of friendship." There was at Wembley that "his skilful conduct in
Admiral Seminoff, the Russian who was no man of his generation in this Colony the Chair lightened the labours of all.”
For over
ten years the late Mr. to whom that phrase was so applicable for sometime Chief of the Kuomintang Mr. and Mrs. Holyoak and their two Holyoak worthily represented the Chamas it was to Percy Hobson Holyoak. He Naval Bureau in Canton, has been re- ber of Commerou on the Legislative was a true friend with a generous heart.lieved of his post as a member of the Pre- "daughters left Bongkung about six weeks Council of the Colony and served at
ventive Service Commission by the Kuo- "ago to spend the summer at Home. Both various periods on the Executive Council, There was nothing mean or contemptible
Mr. and Mrs. Holyoak had been ill which, in a Colony where every form of about the man whose sudden death has mintang. Admiral Semino has been
absent from Canton for some months. the whole prior to their departure. Mrs. Holyoak local Government is under one authority come as a great shock to
calls upon its members for vital and Colony. He set his course and looked out |
According to a Kuomintang common is had undergone in hospital a severe far reaching decisions on many import-
on to the big side of human nature. Ite. 15,000 men in nine regiments have surgical operation. Mr. Holyoak" hadant questions. also spent a short time in hospital not Mr. Holyoak had been associated in is impossible to recall a word 'that was been sent from Kwangsi to re-inforce the long before his departure, but left it public work with the Chinese on most in any way uncharitable that came from Kuomintang troops The Kuomintang claim the recapture of Siangtan. The cardial terms for many years and possess his lips. ́in a sufficiently good state of health to
Kuomintang are sending, according to enable him not only to attend to his business affairs but also to resume many
their statement, the and Array Corps to
of his multifarious public duties. It
invade Hunan, to be further augmented by a division from the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 'and was plainly evident when he left, how
information is to hand that the movement ever, that he stood in great need of rest
6th Army Corps. From similar sources,
and an invigorating climate. On the
by the Kuomintang Army on the northern- voyage bome Mrs. Holyoak, we learn,
borders of Kwangtung will, be offensive derived much benent, but Mr. Holyoak
and that along the Kinngsi and the became so ill that he was unable to land
Fukien borders, defensive. The Kuosin at Colombo, They arrived Home" on May 12th, so that they had been in Eng. have transacted very large business in same study sense of duty in the days tang say that they expect shortly to have land less than a fortnight when Mr.ilk and other commodities with my of adversity as in the days of success,
It was the acid test of facing a big Holyonk passed away. The news of his Chinese friends. No written contract death has cast a gloom over the whole between us has ever existed, but I cannot crisis in his life that revealed the depth Colony and the deepest sympathy" with recall one single instance of serious de-of his character. He refused to set aside Mrs. Holyoak and her daughters finds fault, and constantly contracts that were
merely oral and could not be defended in what he thought were his publie duties called for the purpose of forming an old universal expression.
Court of Law have been fulfilled to as a citizen of Hongkong for his own boys" association, it was stated that The late Mr. Holyoak, who was the son
the letter even "with market conditions private affairs.
nearly 10,000 cadets have graduated from of the Rev. T. H. Holyoak" of Cheshamseriously against them.
My experience
Few men have been so suddenly and this institution. The academy was first Bais, Buckinghamshire, had resided in of tende with the Chinese has been a Hongkong for twenty-seven years. He came out in 1500 to join, we believe, the very happy one and I cannot believe that unexpectedly plunged into business diff-organized under the old Tsing or Manchu firm of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., the close friendships which have been culties. That Sckle jade Fortune treated Dynasty but was suspended during the
formed will long be interfered with by him, so it seemed, very badly,
first few years of the Republic. It was but subsequently he became connected
re-opened some three years ago with the with the old-established Manchester frm the present misunderstandings with of Reiss Bros. In course of time he Canton, which are inspired and not
aid of Soviet finance. At presént many became a partner in the firm and had natural, anyhow."
military posts are being held by former) cadets of this academy. Most of the re- cent graduates have been trained under Russian supervision: :
charge of the Hongkong branch. As most
of our readers are aware, the firm, after
late. Mr. Holyoak was one.
many valued, friendships amongst the Chinese community. As many readora will know, despite all that the militaris: tried hard to live according to the some and the politician in China has done in what difficult ideals of that great Order the past five years to disappoint the of Brotherhood, it was the late District hopes and undermine the confidence of the foreign merchant. Mr. Holyoak Grand Master for "Hongkong and South retained to the last the highest admira China. tion of the Chinese as traders. Speak
Anyone can be genin in the times of ing not many months ago at a dinner arranged by the Commercial Association prosperity, but the great heart that is of the Hongkong University, he paid this now stilled' beat each stroke with the handsome tribute to the Chinese I
ALL
IN ADVERSITY.
When the news. came to Hongkong it was not received with the whine of a coward. It nerved an energetic and fear less business' man to Herculean efforts. If the old craft was sinking there was in genuity and self reliance enough in the Hongkong ofcito build a raft and a bold and courageous, man rode through the storm.
Then came the strike and the boycott. One anxiety was piled up on the top of another, almost daily.
He still refused to give up his duties to the Masonic Order, nor would he spare
himself from the many public demands. He had, he knew quite well, a weak hearts
more than 100,000 men on the front.
WHAMPOA OLD BOYS."
At X recent meeting of former students. of the Military Academy at Whampoa.
COMMUNISTS ORGANISATION." The League of Farmers, Workers, Stud- enis, and Merchants, is the name under which the Communists and the members of the Third International will operate in
future. The executive committee of this League met for the first time on Jay 95th at the General Chamber of Commerce rooms in Canton; and to show that they were not opposed to the Kuomintang, they opened the proceedings by the usan?! salutations to the portrait of the late Dr. Saa Yat Sen and the Kuomintang insignia, and with the reading of Dr.
KEEN SUPPORTER OF WORTHY CAUSES. a enreer of prosperity extending over a All worthy public causes could always Century was overwhelmed by disaster in confidently count upon his keen and the great piece-goods slump in China in valued support. It would be difficult to 1921-22 This sudden extinction of a think of one with which he was not great and wealthy firm, enjoying the prominently identified. Mention must be highest reputation for commercial interaade especially of his interest in the grity, evoked nothing but the pro- work of the Alice Memorial and affiliated foundrat sympathy for the individual Hospitals, and also of his interest in the partners of whom as we have said, the Y.M.C.A. particularly in the effort which was successfully crowned a few months In these circumstances Mr. Holyoak,ago by the opening of the handsome and together with Mr. P. W. Massey, who had commodious premises at Kowloon which had charge of the business of Reiss Bros. now house the European branch of the in Shanghai, formed the firm of Messrs. Association. In the heydey of his pro- Holyoak, Massey & Co., Ltd., of Hong-sperity the late Mr. Holyoak was a most kong, Shanghai, Canton and Chefoo, to liberal contributor to local charities but he worked it at a five man-power rate, carry on the business in China hitherto and none who were her daring the done by Reiss Bros. It is scarcely neces-period of the war will forget his generous sary to say that the chaotic conditions gifts to the War charities. which have continued to prevail in In local Freemasonry, the late Mr. China during the past four or five years, Holyoak occupied the host exalted office to the great impediment of trade have having been appointed by H.R.. the been a cause of constant anxiety to most Duke of Connaught in 1921 to be the newly-maschry in Hongkong and South Chins especially disheartening to established firm. The courage and hope. Only a few months ago one who had fulness with which the late Mr. Holyoak been in close association with the Hon. from Shakespeare often came to my an ugly demonstration several evenings faced the difficulties of the situation havi Mr. Holyoak wrote of him:-"Residents memory as we sat at the round table at ago as a protest against their indennite been the subject of much sympathetic who are willing to devote themselves tiin time, where he was so happy with imprisonment without a hearing. Some comment, though it is not unreasonable actively to public work are few enough his friends. One was "If I do yow a 400 of them have been detained by the Dis to suppose that these prolonged anxieties in Hongkong, as in other parts of the friendship, I'll perform it to the last trict Procurator or Attorney for investiga- must have done much to undermine an Empire, and, if it be wondered bora article" The other was "I count myself already busy man can find time to do so in nothing else so happy as in a soul already weakened constitution.
much, those who have worked with Mr. rememb'ring my good friends." Apart from his own business concerns,
Holyoak can explain the mystery. It is the late Mr. Holyoak was a man of many interests add boundless activities, the old story-the busy man is the man
IN FRIENDSHIP'S NAME. He seemed to realise the great truth in the words "the only way to have a
friend to everyone. He might disagree friend is to be one." He was always a with you about this or that but he was
never bitter nor resentful. He would let
Sun's last will and testament.
PRISONERS GROWING IMPATIENT.
The 890 inmates in the Canton City
foreign merchants, and it must have been Distriet Grand Master of English Free-you understand, when he had made up Jail awaiting trial for various charges
a
were no longer an
his mind, that you acquaintance, but a friend.
Two lines before the Canton District Court made
He won't forget us, although he has preceded some of us across the border.
His was the courage, the generosity in
tions only and have not been charged up to date. The Kuomintang Judicial Com-- mission has now instructed the courts to take immediate action to clear the cases. According to law, one may not be im-
He was on the directorate of most of the who finds time for extra work. A cap We, for our part, will never forget him orisoned for more than 25 days without
leading public companies.
city for rapid assimilation of fact, for He was a
a hearing. Some 920 of the inmates have
member of the Court of Directors of the grasping the essentials of a subject, a gift thought and act, the self-sacrifice and the been detained without a trial since Janu- Hongkong and Shanghai -Banking Cor for clear self-expression alike in dealing sturdy patriotism of which he was alwaysary. 1st this year and 17 have been detain-
unashamed.-
DEEP SYMPATHY.
It is impossible to express our deepest A merciful Providence has
poration, and a few years ago was its with business correspondenes and in Chairman. He had been for three public speech-these combine to form a annual periods Chairman of the Unionmental equipment which has given Mr. Holyoak a well-deserved reputation for Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd, and its allied Companies, and thrice also in competence, Has placed him in an but thought. his long connection with the Hongkong, standing position in this little commu- limited language lest sorrow, should be Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Ltd., nity and would carry him far in larger made more permanent than any other and more important spheres. If to- be had been Chairman of the Company. He
Was also a member of the Board of morrow Hongkong were invited to send a represcatative to an Empire Parlia the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels,
Ltd., and of the newly formed Hongkong ment there is no doubt that the name of Telephone Company, <
PUBLIC SERVICES. ̈ ̈*
Mr. Holyoak would be the first to suggest itself as a candidate."
human emotion. For grief stirs our in-
If only pen could convey to his nearest nermost soul as does nothing else. and dearest all that we feel for them in
ed since February, 1995.
MORE JUDGES "REQUIRED. In order to obtain more and better
judges, the Kuomintang announce that in select candidates for law officers. To be June next an examination will be held to
eligible for examination, a candidate must be a graduate of a law school offering a three year course in jurisprudence.
GOOD ROADS..
this time of trial! All that we ask is that they should think rather of his ar triumphant work for his fellow men than Tho advocates of the “good roads Reviewing his long career it will be of their loss brought about by his great movement" are not allowing, this con On five occasions he served with mark universally agreed that by the death of self-sacrifice. He would wish them to be stant talk of war to interfere with their activities. The National Highway So ability as Chairman of the Hongkong Mr. Holyoak, Hongkong has lost one of unselfish, even in their grief.
His life was a reminder of the parable ciety, under the leadership of De C. T. -General Chamber of Commerce-a posi- its most públic spirited pitizens, a man,
tion which is far from ornamental. The moreover, who has been deservedly held of the talents. He used his talent to the Wang, a former Minister of Foreign manifold activities of the Chamber make in the highest respect and esteem by all uttermost. Many a friend of his will Affairs, and Mr. George Hau Chien, a heavy calls upon the Chairman's time sections of the community for the past re-echo the sentiment that few men in former Minister of Justice in Canton, have and it was generally recognised that the quarter of a century. A gap has been this Colony have been as worthy of the fate Mr. Holyoak combined with his long created in the public life of the Colony Colony's gratitude and respect, business experience in the Colony and which it will not be easy to fill.
M. 8.
written to Canton requesting co-operation in the launching of a membership and publicity campaign in South China:
1926
* FOR
FURNITURE
CONSULT -
POWELL'S.
DESKS, TABLES, CHAIRS, CABINETS AND ALL FURNITURE
IN QUALITY THAT MAY
BE DEPENDED ON TO GIVE SATISFACTION.
QUALITY DENOTES CARE. CARE COSTS NOTHING.
TELEPHONE 4578.
JUST ARRIVED.
ELBSCHLOSS BEER.
THE
MARIC HOTES
SOLE AGENTS:
WING ON Co., Ltd.
HONGKONG.
NEW-
COLUMBIA RECORDS
PROCESS
""MERCENARY MARY" VOCAL GEMS (No. 9067)
MAGIC NOTES
Introducing: Part 1-I'm a. Little Bit Fonder of You; I am Thinking of You;
Dipping in the Moonlight; Tie a String Around Your Finger.
Part 2-Mercenary Mary; Orer my Shoollar: Honey. I'm in Love with You:
Charleston Mad.
MAGIC NOTES
AT
ANDERSON'S.
PIERS 18.
18 & 19, MONTREAL HARBOUR, CANADA. The Montreal Harbour Commissioners have used ROBERTSON'S ASBESTOS PROTECTED METAL for many years. Light, permanent and attractive construction is an essential in harbour and warehouse buildings.
Sole Adents:
Messrs. DAVIE BOAG & Co.,
1121
Bank of Canton Buildings.
[A.P.D]