MEMORIAL TO SIR THOS. JACKSON
992
The only statue in Hongkong to a personage other than a Governor or member of the Royal Family is that erected in honour of Sir Thomas Jackson, a former Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. It stands in Statue Square, facing the western wing of the Bank's new premises. Sir Thomas Jackson was created a Baronet in 1902, and died in 1915 (see 20-9-34).
The following report of the unveiling ceremony is extracted from the S.C.M. Post of February 26, 1906:
The statue of Sir Thomas Jackson, erected in his honour by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation opposite the Des Voeux Road entrance to the Bank, was unveiled on Saturday (February 24) in the presence of a vast gathering of those immediately interested and of the curious who had been attracted to the spot by the display of flags and the line of policemen marshalled on the scene to preserve order. Quite a battery of cameras was levelled at the mysterious object of the gathering in its ghostly garb, and when His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan arrived accompanied by Captain Arbuthnot Leslie, A.D.C., the snap-shotters began operations in feverish haste.
"The development of the Bank under the guiding care for over a quarter of a century of Sir Thomas, having kept pace with the remarkable growth of the Colony, it was appropriate that the flags of the 'Wing On' and of Hongkong should be conspicuous in the adornment which encircled the statue. A temporary platform was erected in front of the statue and His Excellency the Governor with Mr. H.A.W. Slade (Chairman and Directors) and Mr. J.M.R. Smith (Chief Manager and successor to Sir Thomas Jackson) having taken their places thereon, the proceedings commenced.
Mr. Slade, Chairman of the Court of Directors of the Bank, said: Your Excellency and Gentlemen, By way of introduction to the ceremony which we are about to take part in, I will briefly recapitulate the circumstances which have led up to it. Sir Thomas Jackson took over the Chief Managership of the Hongkong Bank in 1876, when its fortunes were not very flourishing; then, indeed, its circumstances were somewhat humble. He laid down the burden in 1902, leaving the institution proudly, and, as we think, firmly established as the premier Bank of the Far East. He was always the first to claim that these results were in a large measure due to the splendid services rendered by the men who were associated with him in his life's work, but they, on the other hand, have always been ready to attribute them to his able leadership. A born leader he was - everyone who has known him on his serious side knows that - but he was more than a leader. There are leaders who command admiration by the brilliancy of their intellectual achievements, but they otherwise fail to command our respect. A successful Banker must have more than intellect. He must have character. Character has more to do with successful banking even than brilliant intellectual gifts for, after all, the great thing is to inspire confidence. Your Excellency and gentlemen, Sir Thomas Jackson had both combined, and when he left the Colony, although happily still to be connected with us as Chairman of our London Committee, the shareholders of the Bank decided that it was only fitting that some monument should be erected to remind those who shall come after us of the man and of his work. They decided that it should take the form of a statue, to be set up in the vicinity of the Head Office, so that it might come to be regarded as part and parcel of, and be permanently identified with, the institution in the building of which he for so long took the leading part. Gentlemen, His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan has kindly consented to unveil the statue, and I now on behalf of all the shareholders, have the honour of asking him to perform the ceremony. (Applause).
MEMORIAL TO SIR THOS. JACKSON
992
The only statue in Hongkong to a personage other than a Governor or member of the Royal Family is that erected in honour of Sir Thomas Jackson, a former Chief Manager of the Hongkong end Shanghai Banking Corporation. It stands in Statue Square, facing the western wing of the Bank's new premises. Sir Thomas Jackson was created a Baronet in 1902, and died in 1915 (see 20-9-34).
The following report of the unveiling ceremony is ex- tracted from the S.C.M. Post of February 26, 1906:
*The statue of Sir Thomas Jackson, erected in his honour by the Hongkong end Shanghai Benking Corporation opposite the Des Voeux Road entrance to the Bank, was unveiled on Saturday (February 24) in the presence of a vast gathering of those immedietely interested and of the curious who had been attracted to the spot by the display of flags and the line of policemen mershelled on the scene to preserve order. Quite a battery of cemeras was levelled at the mysterious object of the gathering in its ghostly garb, and when His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan arrived accompanied by Ceptaîn Arbuthnot Leslie, A.D.C., the snap- shottiets began operations in feverish haste.
"The development of the Bank under the guiding care for over a quarter of a century of Sir Thomas, having kept pace with the remarkable growth of the Colony, it web appropriate that the flags of the "Way Toong" and of Hongkong should be conspicuous in the adornment which enciraled the statue, A temporary platform was erected in front of the statue and His Excellency the Governor with Mr. H.A.W. Slade (Chairman and Directors) and Mr.J.M.R.Smith (Chief Manager and successor to Sir Thomas Jackson) having taken their places thereon, the proceedings commenced..
"Mr. Slade, Chairman of the Court of Directors of the Bank, said: Your Exoellency and Gentlemen, By way of introduction to the ceremony which we are about to take part in, I will briefly recapitulate the circumstances which have led up to it. Sir Thomas Jackson took over the Chief Manegership of the Hongkong Bank in 1876, when its fortunes were not very flourishing; then, indeed, its circumstances were somewhat humble. He laid down the burden in 1902, leving the institution proudly, end, as we think, firmly established as the premier Bank of the Far East. He was always the first to claim that these results were in a large messure due to the splendid services rendered by the men who were associated with him in his life's work, but they, on the other hand, have al- ways been ready to attribute them to his able leadership. A born leader he was everyone who has known him on his serious side knows that - but he was more than e lesder. There are leaders who command admiration by the brilliancy of their intellectual achievements, but they otherwise fail to command our respect. A successful Benker must have more then intellect. He must have charsoter, Character has more to do with successful banking even then brilliant intellectual gifts for, after ell, the great thing is to inspire confidence. Your Excellency end gentlemen, Sir Thomas Jackson had both combined, end when he left the Colony, although happily still to be connected with us as Chairmen of our London Committee, the shareholders of the Bank decided that it was only fitting. that some monument should be erected to remind those who shall come after us of the man end of his work. They decided that it should take the form of a statue, to be set up in the vicinity of the Head Office, so that it might come to be regarded as pert and parcel of, and be permanently identified with, the institution in the building of which he for so long took the leading part. Gentlemen, is Excellen oy Sir Matthew Nathan has kindly consented to unveil the statue,: and I now on behalf of all the shareholders, have the honour of ask- ing him to perform the ceremony. (Applause).*
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