1841
CENTENARY
HONGKONG
South China Morning Post - Hongkong Telegraph.
SUPPLEMENT
January 25, 1941.
1941
HOW HONGKONG BECAME A CROWN COLONY
T
HE old records set January 26 as the date on which Britain's representative, Captain Charles Elliot, R.N.. took formal possession of the island in 1841. This is therefore the actual Centenary day; but a landing on
the island by a British naval force, and a preliminary declaration of Queen Victoria's suzerainty, is reported to have taken place on January 25,
There can be little doubt that voyagers from the West
have must sighted Hongkong island, and put in to
one or other of its bays, many years before the British occupation we have
years ago.
.
Near Shekpaiwan, well established at least 200 years ago, was the village we know to-day as Little Hongkong. It was then named Heungkong, apparently translation of "Fragrant Streams," to the give the most poetical version of name. On most old charts this village! must have been marked as the prin cipal town of the island: and no doubt; in time the whole island came to be so named, thus giving us the present name of the Colony itself. The village of Little Hongkong, decimated by malaria, has within the past quarter century fallen partly into ruins, and jts existence will in time probably be no more than a matter of local history- a striking commentary on the march of time.
Belcher,
HONGKONG attains its hundredth year under British suzerainty in difficult times: conditions in a war-torn world prevent fitting celebration of a great historic event in the Colony's history. Nevertheless, Hongkong stands to-day a monument of British foresight, enterprise, and stamina; it is still a haven of refuge, a symbol of democratic freedom, and a beacon for mony who falter in these troubled and uncertain times. Its history may well be unique, and its heritage one to cherish.
IN these pages, of necessity in brief form, is given the main factual history of this Empire outpost against a background of grit and the true pioneering spirit, is told the plain story of how a barren, fever-stricken rock became the Hongkong of to-day-one of the largest seaports in the world, with a huge entrepot trade, important industries, and a population of near two millions when the whole territory of the Colony is included. It stands a bastion of civilisation, as democratic peoples translate that term; perhaps, also a challenge. Whatever the next hundred years may hold for Hongkong, its first century is a glorious one, and the tale of its develop. ment, however briefly told, should form an inspiration to any who come after us.
to
mark
-
zsland
became
China
and
been
a
1, mencing on July 1898. However. pointed at the time British interests owing to trouble caused by Chinese in China were solely commercial; the agitators, the area had to be pacified, governorship followed when formal and it was not until April 1899 that recognition of the Colony as a part of full occupation was effected. Much of the British Empire, and of more than the trouble was centred in Taipo, and mere trading importance, was estab- a detachment of troops, and some naval lished. units, were sent to aid the Police.
became When Sir Henry Pottinger After some skirmishing, the British flag Governor and Commander-in-Chief of was hoisted at Taipo on April 16, and the Colony by Royal Warrant in 1843, the trouble subsided. The greatest op-
the Colonial Government was organised, position was met at Kam Tin village, with a Lieutenant Governor, this being and the iron gates of that place were Major-General George C. D'Aguilar, removed, but were returned (after C.B., who was the General Officer Com- being taken to England in the mean- manding the British land forces in time) in 1925.
China. The title of Lieutenant Gov- ernor was abolished after his tenure: but he also administered the Govern- ment on several occasions up to 1847. The first Colonial Secretary was Lieut.-Col. George Alexander Malcolm (1843), who was succeeded by Mr F. W. A. Bruce in 1844, and by Major William Caine (who also was Chief Magistrate in those early years) in 1848. Lieut William Pedder. RN was the first first Harbour Master (1843); the
Alexander Colonial Surgeon being Dr Anderson (1843), succeeded by Dr F. Dill in 1844; and the first head of the Police Department was Mr Charles May, who took up his duties in 1844. The Post Office goes back as a depart- ment to 1842, when a Mr FitzGibbon few in was in charge, succeeded months by a Mr Mullahy, who in turn zave place to Mr R. Edwards, Mr F. Spring followed in 1843: and in 1846 was appointed. Mr Thomas Hyland being the most energetic of the early for some years.
Kowloon Old City. now largely dis- appearing under development of the area, was until about Afteen years ago surrounded by an ancient wall in THE BRITISH ADVENT
perfect state of preservation. Here for The reasons for the acquisition of the
the yamen was
a considerable Colony make a rather long story, but
period the centre of Chinese govern- only to consider the early Portuguese may be summarised briefly The first
ment of the adjacent area. The city settlement at nearby Macao, and the of the so-called Opium Wars had
was founded seven or eight hundred arrival of the Dutch navigators and broken out between Britain and China,
years ago, and the Chinese attached at Canton, early missionaries, who went as far as mainly owing to friction
So much sentimental value to the Formosa and to Japan. British and where foreign merchants had establish-
place that under the convention hand- American merchants were trading with ed themselves in the trading centres
the New ing over the
Territories. Canton, early in the nineteenth cen- known as factories. Hostilities ceased front, near Queen Street, in a space whereby he became the first administra- | been arranged, and the territory, up to
jurisdiction of the Kowloon City yamen tury, and this had followed much earlier at the beginning of 1841. and the de-
enclosed by Queen's Road on the north tor of Hongkong under British rule, what is now Boundary Street, and com-
was to remain intact. The revolt, in contacts with China, As Hongkong cision to take over Hongkong in place and Gap Street on the south. Posses- tor from England.
and west, Hollywood Road on the east. pending appointment of an administra-prising about four square miles, was
which the city was involved, caused the formally ceded on January 19, 1861: island offered shelter to the sailing ships of the Canton factories, which had
over the of that period, and much freshwater been reached in 1840, was then carried sion Street exists to-day, immediately
By that proclamation.
when Lord Elgin (who had come out British authorities to take al! Chinese as special plenipotentiary to
control of this area as well, and thus from its streams, it soon became a well- into effect.
alongside, connecting Queen's Road and of Nanking. The Treaty
then residing on tha
Chinese suzerainty came to an end in that Hollywood Road. It is probable
with the known locality, and was marked
expeditionary force) on confirming the cession of Hongkong the "Mount referred to was a hillock British subjects: they numbered
. 1899. ap-other officials representing the British charts more than a hundred and fifty, was signed on August 29, 1842.
historic Near Kowloon City is the The following interesting account of, later re-named Possession Point, It is proximately 5,000. The island was al- Government, had a meeting in Kow-
one of the most historic areas in the most barren, with a few coastal villages, loon with the mandarins representing Sung Wong terrace. where a large rock
who One of the most interesting narratives the landing on the island has been Colony, but up to now no memorial of mainly inhabited by fisherfolk
China. A party of British troops were is preserved as a revered relic: it is whenever occasion offered turned that exists to-day with a reference to left by Captain Sir Edward
the spot
reputed to have formed a shelter in present at what must have excellent harbour pirates. The Smith, who was a member of Lord round the world of H.M.S. Sulphur in
earth wrapped in paper was handed Dai Ping, who when he was in flight commenced Amherst's mission to China
in 1816 The mission was aboard a ship that "On the return of the Commodore
to the principal Chinese delegate, and from the Mongolian invaders, rested for
a brief period at Kowloon. returned, as a symbol of the transfer anchored in Shekpaiwan Bay (opposite (to Macao) on the 24th of January,
of the territory. The Royal Standard was raised, three the village now known as Aberdeen, on 1841) we were directed to proceed to
cheers given for the south side of the island)
à Hongkong, and commence its survey.
England and the Queen, and a feu-de- while, and doubtless obtained fresh We landed on Monday, the 25th. 1841,
jole was fired by the troops. water from the stream nearby. Dr at Bfteen minutes past eight a.m., and Abel Smith was a botanist, and came being the bona fide first possessors, Her ashore to collect specimens of the local Majesty's health was drunk with three flora, his notes being published a few cheers on Possession Mount. On the years later. Thus we have it establish- 26th the squadron arrived; the marines ed that the harbour at Shekpaiwan was
were landed, the union dag) hoisted well known at an early period, being on our post, and formal possession termed Hongkong Sound: and it is taken of the island, by Commodore Sir known from other old records that the J. J. G. Bremer, accompanied by the place was the principal seaport of the other officers of the squadron, under a island in those days, and remained so feu-de-joie from the other marines, and until, with the arrival of the British in a royal salute from the ships of war." 1841 as owners of the place, the present It is interesting to note that Possession harbour of Victoria was developed and Point (now
Chinese recreation the beginnings of the city came into ground) appears on older plans of the existence.
city, strunted not far from the water-
İ
any kind exists
took place.
Was
a
the island is that of Dr Clarke Abel K.C.B.. in a narrative of the voyage | where that ceremony of 100 years ago the only asset with which Captain Elliot Picturesque ceremony, when a clod of the Sung Dynasty period for Emperor Postmasters, and serving
for
1836-1842:
The reference to Macao is explained | by the fact that, when the war with China broke out, British and other foreign residents evacuated Canton and took refuge in the friendly Portuguese colony until hostilities were over, and for a time British interests in China bad been directed from Macao.
in
setting in motion the machinery of British.enterprise which was destined to build up the Colony as we know it to-day.
of
INCLUSION OF KOWLOON The Colony of Hongkong continued to comprise merely the island area until
The Mandarin of Kowloon City still 1861, when the small ceded territory, retained his yamen at that old town. On January 20, 1841, a Circular was of Kowloon peninsula was taken over. and it was not until much later that issued from Macao by Captain Elliot. After the second war with China-
British suzerainty extended to the area. who was Chief Superintendent of Trade known as the "Arrow" War owing to
The development of.Kowloon pro- and Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary its being the result of an attack at ceeded apace, and Portuguese residents China, announcing the cession of the Canton on a lorcha of that name, were prominent in this pioneering island and harbour of Hongkong to the fying the British flag and owned by work: but that is referred to more fully British Crown (as part of the terms of Hongkong Chinese tt was felt that for in another article. the peace with the Chinese. Caste
Captain the proper defence of the island Elliot arrived a few day-
section of the mainland should also be Later, taking
had formal possession of the Colony
in British possession. The January 26; and
concluded in 1858, but broke out again, from aboard H.M.B. Wellesley in th
following harbour, on February and it was not until 1860 that hostilities
issued a Proclamation ceased. The cession of Kowloon
EARLY ADMINISTRATION Though Captain Elliot was the first administrator, the first officer to bear the title of Governor
Hongkong was Sir Henry Pottinger. G.c.3. This was owing to the technical formalities of taking over Hongkong as a British that Sir Henry Crown Colony: so commenced as Administrator and con- cluded his term of office as Governor. Mr A. R. Johnston succeeded Captain Elliot on June 22, 1841, as Administra- tor, Sir Henry Pottinger assuming office on August 12 the same year, and being appointed Governor on June 26, 1843, was officially de- when the island
of Hongkong." The New Territories were taken over,signated "the Colony
These early administrators, in fact, on lease for 99 years, under a conven-
were Superintendents of Trade. hadtion signed in Peking. the lease com
ap-
2
י.
-
on
war
NEW TERRITORIES
a
Mr A. T. Gordon was the first Sur- veyor General (a title changed in 1891 to Director of Public Works), and took up his post in 1843, being succeeded by Mr C. StGeorge Cleverly in 1845. That saw the beginnings of the Public Works Department.
The first Registrar General (an office changed to that of Secretary for Chinese Affairs in 1913) was Mr S. T, Fearon, in 1845, who was succeeded in 1846 by Mr A. L. Inglis.
The Supreme Court was founded in 1844, the Arst Chief Justice, appointed that year, being Mr John Walter Hulme. Supreme The first Registrar of the Court (1844) was Mr R. D. Cay.
The earliest of the Colonial Treasur-
Ac- la title recently changed to countant General) was Mr E. Elmslie (Continued on Back Page)
ers
9
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