THE HONGKONG DAILY
PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 281,
DEATH OF SIR PAUL CHATER.
1996
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THE "GRAND OLD MAN" OF HONGKONG.
OVER 68 YEARS OF ACTIVE BUSINESS LIFE IN THE COLONY.
The Hor. Sir Paul Chater passed away at his residence, Marble Hall. Conduit Road, shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday morning.
Sir Paul caught a chill some weeks ago while motoring in the New Territory Neuritis developed and an old uric acid trouble recurred. A fortnight ago he rallied and it was confidently expected by his friends. that he would soon be able to resume personal chargs of his great. and varied business interests in the Colony. It was not to be. There was relapse and all hope of his recovery was abandoned on Wednes day.
"He was greatly cheered on Wednesday morning, however, by a visit paid to him by ILE. the Governor (Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G.), bat in the afternoon he lapsed into a comatose condition from which hongver, railial. He was in his s0th year.
The interment took place at evening in the Protestant Cemetery at Happy Valley after an impressive service in St. John's Cathedral. The, sits for the grave had been selected by Sir Paul, hinwell. It ndjains that of a brother, Joseph Theophiles Chater, who died in Hongkong in Isen, anil is close to the massive memorial to the Officers and men of 11.M.S. inlate who died in the fghting in China round about
1837-8.
HIS ANCESTRY.
KAIPING HOUSEHOLD COAL
In Lots of not· Note Reduction in Prices.
Jess than
I-ton:- Delivered to Peak District (above Bowen Road), $24.00
per ton.
Delivered to Bowen Road
and Lower Levels, $22.00
per ton.
Delivered to Kowloon,
$20.00
per ton.
For Price Apply to
Orders should be sent
in writing not
by telephone at least 24 hours, before the Coal is required
All orders must be ac- companied by Cash, Cheque..
OF
Compra- dore Order payable to
The Kala'
Mining ministration.'
Ad
THE KAILAN MINING ADMINISTRATION
DODWELL" & CO., LTD., Agants, Hongkong.
168
SERVICES ON THE COUNCILS. Seldom, it over, was an appeal made to
He was not only the Senior Unofficial Member of the Executive Council, but of the Justiers of the Peace of the Colony also, his appointment as J.P. dating back to January 21st, 1989. Eer 40 years he served as a member of one both of the Councils. It was in 1980 that he was first elected to the Legis.
The Praya East Reclamation, which is The late Sir Catchick Paul Chater, now bring carried out by the Govers ment, is alsh largely the outeuráe of the in bora C.M.G with
Calcutta on
late Sir Paul Chater's advocacy, September 8th, 1846, of Armenian par- rents, his mother being a grand-daughter of a famous Armenian merchant. Agah Catchick Arakiel, of Calcutta, who in economic resources of the Colony two latter Council af the representative of
a handsome
Five years ago he laid before a Con wittee appointed to inquire into the
him in vain for a donation in support ( of any warthy cause.
Statue Square with its array of Royal statues was his conception. He delrayed
ihr cost of some of the statues of was instrumental in getting gifts of others,
He had acquired great wealth and it of he gave to werthy public purposes great deal more than was generally 70 was honoured by his King: Georg / further reclamation schemes, one dealing the Justices of the Pence to all known. His benefactions were not con- HL of England, with
with the reclamation of seme 500.000 temporary vacancy. Three candidates fined to the Colony. A few years ago, miniature portrait and a valuable sword square feet of land at Kennedy Town; stood for the seat, and the success he sent a donation of. 00,000 rupees to for his loyalty and philanthropy in re, and another for reclamation at North of Mr. Chater (as he then was) in the the Arnienian Church of Calcutta (in · tensing "all the prisoners in the Court Point, extending from the Electric Cou-ballet is testimony to the fact that be which he was christened on October 3rd: had at that date well established himself 1543), for the sole neft of the Armen- of Requests Gaël on the occasion of the pany's Station almost to Quarry Bay. He suggested at the same time several happy recovery of that monarch from an
in the regard of the community. On the in poor in sensory of his two decensed other scheines, including the reclamation at signation of Mr. F. Sassuon in the sisters, with premise of farther dona- unfortunate malady in 1788.**
Mongkoktsui, where many acres of useful following year. Mr. Chater, although tions. He also as a little later date sent and have been added for building devent from the Colony at the time was 100,000 rupees to the La Martiniere Col. lopment in recent years. He also advocated.
Heleted for the full term of six years, lege of Calentin in which he received his
early education. It may be added that the Armeniru community of Calcutta erected two mural tablets in their Church of Sazagth in old China Bazaar Street (erested "in
gifts.
1724) to conmemorate these
MARBLE HALL AND ITS TREASURES.
It is interesting also to add that Sir Aguh Catchick Arakiel's wife. Begoom, was a granddaughter of a renowned Armenian merchant prince of India
the development of the south side of the and at the expiration of that period he island as a residential area. and to this wan re glected. He was again re-elected (Khojah Phanoos Kalandar), who in 1648 entered into an important Commer-end suggested the removal of the Dairy for a further period of six grate cial Treaty with the Honourable East Farm to larger and better tracts of land it shell her he mentioned that white in the New Territory. Sir Paul had Paul was 'member of the Legislative India Company," behalf of the
unbounded confidence in the future of Counell a' petition from the leading re- Armenian nation.
the Colony and the schemes he put before sidents was sent to the Secretary of Stats the Economic Resources Committee were in favour of the formation of a Musi presented not. for immediate action in cipal Council. The Secretary of State, view of the fact that the more urgent however, would not entertain the idea, Praya East Reclamation was about to bat suggested the placing of two Un possible official Members on the Executive Coun and potential assets of the Colony in cil as a sort of compromise, Sir Paul tas arlected as the Senior Member and years to come.
Mention must also be made of the continued to act in that capacity until
WEAS the arst to his death. fact that Sir Paul advocate the acquisition of the New Territory which added 376 square miles to the Colony. He wrote to the Govern-tically every public movement in the or. Italy and polishell in Belgium, before
was
HIS CAREER IN HONGKONG. The history of the late Sir Paul Chater's long career in Hongkong shows that he inherited to the full the commer cial genius of his ancestors. He came to Hongkong in 1964, when he eighteen years of age, as “ao. assistant in the Bank of Hindustan, Chian and Japan. He resigned from this position two years later to start in business on his own account as a bill and bullion broker and this laid the foundations of
eeded to
b undertaken, but rather as
1:
Sir Paul once mentioned to the writer of this riemoir, that in his early days in the Colony he lived in a little hotel called the Hotel Europe, in Wyndham Street (or Caine Read), that he slept on the verandah, and that he paid 995 But," he added." I was as happy the:z month for his board and lodging. as I am now living in Marble Hall."
Sir Paul built this palatial residence for himself above Conduit Road, about fifteen years ago. It derives its name from the fact that n. very large amount HONOURED BY THE KING.
of marble, was used in its constriction. Sir Fani had been identified with prac-having been specially quarried in Greec
chat Its wards Chairman of
25 treasurer
with advancing years...
PROMINENT FREEMASON.
Especial being shipped to Hongkong. In this great fortune which he constantly went on the subject four years before
Colony since his arrival.
handsome residence is large anlon mention in ust made of the fact which contains one of the finest collec devoted to the development and welfare of the territory was leased to the Crown and
and after- tions of Chinese porcelain in the world the Colony which he had made his homehe organised an appeal to the Govern-
years ago, it was valued at the Queen Vic. Some For some years he had as partner in his ment by the Chamber of Commerce, the business enterprises the late Sir Hormasjee China Association and the Unofficial memoria Jubiler Committee, and, in 1897 he $2,500.000. Before the war, negotiations Mody, the firm being known as Chater & bers of the Legislative Council, resulting was Chairman of the Diamond Jubilee for its sale took place, we believe, but Mody. In later years he came to be rein the ultimate success of his advocacy. Committer. It was at this period that in they fell through, and there will be recognition of his numerous public ser much speculation now as to the future garded as "The Father of the Colony' After the leasing of the Territory he viers he was erented a C.M.G. He re. home of this famous collection. Sir Peal in a more important sense than length spent a good deal of money on testing ceived the honour of knighthood is 100% at one time, we believe, had some idea It has been well said of him that his of bequeathing it to the Colony. He wax of residence, for no single individual had its mineral resources, but the results of
life was one cruseless round of activity very anxious to see the Colony provided during a visit home same years ago made done more to promote its development. these investigations failed to confirm the and his energies seemed only to increase with a better museum and city hall, and an unsuccessful effort to induce the prin- He was not crly the author of great early expectatiods.
of his
cipal owners of the existing building to: reclamation schemes, Eut he himself wis- Columns could be written
surrender their interests in order tha The deceased gentleman had been con
a more modern huilding could be erected wont to refer to many of the most immanifold activities in the Colony in
His name is nected with Freemasonry in the Colony on the site." portant public companies of the Colony the realms of business.
for the past 59 years, having joined the
We have already mentioned that Bir associated with the history of most Perseverance Lodge in 1588. In course Paul came of a stock which was closely a his babies"
About the time that Hongkong was of the leading public companies in of time he filled the most exalted offices, associated with the early history of the the British Crown it was Hongkong. As we have said, he fre- being for mapy years the Grand Master Hon. East India Co., and he possessed oficially reported as capable of afford.quently referred to several of them as bis of the District Grand Lodge of Hong among his treasures some valuable prints kong and South China, and also Grand and documents which he placed at the ing a good natural position for only one babies." He started a godown business Superintendent of the District Grand service of Dr. H. B. Morse who has re- house." The site on which the hospitable 41 Kowloon in 1884, purchasing the sea- Chapter of Hongkong and South China, cently published a history of the Com
On his extreme affability and his piny, and for which service Dr. Morae mansion of Messrs. Jardins, Matheson & bench from the Government, and erecting genius for making friends of most people has publicly acknowledged his indebted-
godowns. Four years later he amal-ith whom he came in contact there is ness. Co. stood for many years afterwards at East Point must have been the "good gatuated with Messrs. Jardine, Matheson little need to dilate; the commanding natural position in mind, but thanks & Co. in this line of business, and pro- not only to the genius but the pertinacity moted the formation of the Hongkong of Mr Chater (as he was then) the and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Com- Colony was provided in course of time pany, Ltd, to reclaim foreshores and with room for marvellous "development, erect wharves and godowns. . In the early days of the Colony the fore His name has been identified most shore extended up to Des Voeux Road Prominently with the Hongkong Land All the area in front of that line, on Investment and Agency Co. of which he which for nearly twenty years past have has been the directing genius from ita But the Hongkong and stood some of the finest blocks of com inception. mercial offices East of Buez, is reclaimed Whampca Docks, the Hongkong Electric land which owes its existence to the Co, and we think the Dairy Farm owe genius and persevering industry of the much to his strenuous advocacy based on late Sir Paul Chater. He originated the unshakeable confidence in the great Praya Reclamation in 1687 and sub-future of the Colony, mitted in writing a scheme to the Gov ernment: Getting it accepted by the torate of most of the leading public com marine lot holders he visited England panies in the Colony.
"HIS RECREATIONS.
"}
EMPIRE.. in the social life of the Colony bears position he occupied for so many years A BENEFICENT FIGURE OF THE ample testimony to that.
That prolific and interesting writer T. P. O'Connor, M.P., a few years ago des- cribed the late Sir Paul Chater as "per«, We hardly know what may be said to haps the least known and at the same have been Sir Paul's recreations. time one of the most powerful and, whas was most conspicuously interested in is more important, one of the most bebe- China pony racing and was probably ficent figures of the Empire". It is n at the time of his death the oldest memtribute which those who peruse his record her of the Hongkong Jockey Club. He will: ungrudgingly endorse. His name had been a steward of the Club for very will always be indissolubly connected many years and mention must be made with this Colony, and the greatness of of the fact that he had not missed attend- his loss cannot be measured. ing the annual race meetings for the Owing to the growing infirmities of age, past 52 years. For very many years here was advised a few years ago to spend wra associated with bis business partner, the summer months away from Hong- the late Sir Hormusjes Mody, in a racing kong, and he had been making it a stable which always figured prominently practice to go to England and the Con- in the races, and after Sir Hormusjee's tinent of Europe. He would have been In his time he has been on the direc-death he raced under his own name, or going this summer, but the economic rather that of Sir Paul." At the last crisis in which the Colony he loved so annual races in March he had the great well is involved, through the boycott satisfaction of" once more winning the engineered at Canton, caused him to and secured the sanction of the Secretary Just as Napoleon might have said Derby, but it pleased this great citizen abandon the intention in the hope that he might usefully serve the Colony in of State for the scheme. The foundation L'etat, c'est moi," so might the late of the Colony still more to have won
the Governor's Cup.
the effort to bring the boycott to a speedy said:
etid. stone was laid at the corner of the exist Sir Paul Chater have not inaptly
Lady Chater, whom Bir Paul married ing cricket ground by HR.H. the Duke1 am Hongkong." Unquestionably
His benefactions' to the Colony it is in Hongkong about twelve years ago, has of Connaught, in 1590, and a statue of he was entitled to be affectionately re-impossible to fully enumerate. He will long been in a poor state of health and the Duke which was presented to thegarded as the "G.O.M. of Hongkong." be especially remembered for his muni had intended to proceed to Europe this. Colony by Sir Paul stands now near Blake His business interests were not satire- ficent gifts in the past ten or fifteen month, but in view of the anxious state Pier to commemorate the event. The re-ly confined to the Colony. It was Sir years to the Churches. He built St.of Sir Paul's health during the past clamation which extended from West Paul who formed the Société Francais Andrew's church at Kowloon, and later few weeks, decided to remain with him. Point to Murray Road and added apCharbonnages de Tonkin, and in recog the vicarage, He was a regular wor The deepest sympathy" will be felt for proximately 65 acres to the Colony, 33-73 nition of his services in opening up the shipper at this church. A few years ago her in her bereavement as well as for Mr." acres constituting building land, was coal mines of Tonkin be received that he gave to St. Andrew's, as well as to J. T. Bagram (nephew), who for several completed in 1903, at a total cost of much-coveted decoration, the Legion of St. John's Cathedral and to Union years past has been siisting Sir Paul $3,362,$25.
Honour.
Church, substantial endowment funds in his business interests,
HIS BENEFACTIONS..