108
While in England he delivered two important lectures under the auspices of the Incorporated Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Institute of London. Simultaneously he returned to his first love on January 31, 1901, and was admitted a member of the most Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He left London in February, 1901, and visited New York, Washington, Mexico, the Pacific Coast, and the Philippine Islands, in connection with the Bank's business before resuming charge of his duties in Hongkong, in July, 1901. He served on many Committees and Commissions, including the enquiry into working of the Tung Wah Hospital, the Po Leung Kuk Society, Insanitary Properties Commission, etc., etc.
During his career in Hongkong, Mr. Whitehead appeared before the public in two capacities, namely, as the representative of the Chamber of Commerce on the Legislative Council, and as the Manager of one of the leading banking institutions in Hongkong.
Further details of Mr. Whitehead's brilliant career will be published on Monday,
The loss of the Colony suffered in the departure of the Hon. Mr. T. H. Whitehead was referred to in the Hongkong Telegraph of May 20, 1902, in which the following appeared:
"Mr. Whitehead is leaving the Colony at a very critical period in its history. So far Hongkong has been allowed to grow very much at its own sweet will, and, as happens in a badly tended garden, injurious weeds, in the shape of insanitary houses, etc., have been allowed to spring up and obtain such a hold upon the soil that there is a danger of the whole garden being ruined by them. In fact, the gardeners of the Colony, as represented by the officials, have been remiss in their weeding operations and careless in the selection of their seeds, with the result that the Colony is reaping a crop in which a host of worthless and harmful things are included and to eradicate which will require the expenditure of a great deal of time, trouble and money.
"These gardeners have to some extent been awakened to the true state of affairs, but they have become so imbued with the old, slothful habits that they require a sharp eye upon them to keep them up to their duties, and it was to Mr. Whitehead that the Colony looked to act as general overseer now and again, and awaken the gardeners whenever they evinced a desire to indulge in a little quiet nap in the shade.
"In other words we must have the Colony placed on a thoroughly sanitary footing and to do so is a colossal task. It will cost hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of dollars, must mean sacrifices for everybody more or less, and the necessary sanitary measures will meet with much opposition. So much opposition is to be anticipated that we hear that our officials, unsupported by the outspoken and clear-seeing Mr. Whitehead, will shrink from their unpleasant task and allow matters to drag on in the same slipshod, unsatisfactory manner. Then, too, the Colony is rapidly expanding, and it behoves those responsible for its laying-out to see that the old, insanitary plans of narrow streets, skyscraper buildings and pestilential slums are not permitted further, and their place taken by broad thoroughfares and well lighted and ventilated lanes. It may cost a little more in the beginning but will prevent such calamities as we have seen come upon the Colony of late years from overcrowding.
"It was for this that we required Mr. Whitehead. We wanted him to keep our officials up to the mark. To act as a spur and whip to them and prevent them from imagining for a moment that so long as they themselves are satisfied all must be well and in order. But we are to lose Mr. Whitehead, and we greatly fear that there will be nobody capable of taking his place. But it is not only in our little world of politics that Mr. Whitehead's departure will be regretted. Our sportsmen one and all will mourn the absence of the keen polo player, and his stalwart figure and genial kindly nature will be greatly missed. In fact there were two Whiteheads; one the Hon. Thomas Whitehead, Manager of the Chartered Bank and Member of Council, and the other the plain Whitehead of the world of sport, the jolly host and enthusiastic sportsman, ever ready to join in any manly game in season and over as willing to help the youngster with a word or two of good advice. These are the two gentlemen to whom we so soon have to bid God-speed, and whose faces we shall so sorely miss."
2.
108
While in England he delivered two important lectures under the auspices of the Incorporated Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Institute of London. Simultaneously he returned to his first love on January 31, 1901, and was admitted a member of the most Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He left London in February, 1901, and visited New York, Washington, Mexico, the Pacific Coast, and the Philippine Islands, in connection with the Bank's business before reauning charge of his duties in Hongkong, in July, 1901. He served on many Committees and Commissions, including the enquiry into working of the Tung Wah Hospital, the Po Leung Kuk Society, Insanitary Properties Commission, etc., ato.
During his career in Hongkong, Mr. Whitehead appeared before the public in two capacities, namely, as the representative of the Chamber of Commerce on the Legislative Council, and as the Manager of one of the leading banking institutions in Hongkong .
Further details of Mr. Whitehead's brilliant career will be published on Monday,
The loss of the Colony suffered in the departure of the Hon.Mr.T.H. Whitehead was referred to in the Hongkong Telegraph of May 20, 1902, in which the following appeared:
i
•
"Mr. Whitehead is leaving the Colony at a very critical period in its history. So far Hongkong has been allowed to grow very much at it's own sweet will, and, as happens in a badly tended garden, injurious weeds, in the shape of insanitary-houses, etc., have been allowed to spring up and obtain such a hold upon the soil that there is a danger of the whole garden being ruined by them. In fact, the gardeners of the Colony, as represented by: the officials, have been remiss in their weeding operations and careless in the selection of their seeds, with the result that the Colony is reaping a crop in which a host of worthless and harmful things are included and to eradicate which will require the expenditure of a great deal of time, trouble and money.
"These gardeners have to some extent been awakened to the true state of affairs,`but they have become so imbued with the old, slothful habits that they require a sharp eye upon them to keep them up to their duties, and it was to Mr. Whitehead that the Colony looked to act as general overseer now and again, and awaken the gardeners whenever they evinced a desire to indulge in a little quiet nap in the shade.
"In other words we must have the Colony placed on a thoroughly sani- tary footing and to do so is a colossal task. It will cost hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of dollars, must mean sacrifices for every- body more or less, and the necessary sanitary measures will meet with much opposition. So much opposition is to be anticipated that we hear that our officials, unsupported by the outspoken and clear-seeing Mr. Whitehead, will shrink from their unpleasant take und allow matters to drag on in the same slipshod, unsatisfactory manner. Then, too, the Colony is rapidly expanding, and it behoves those responsible for its laying-out to see that the old, insanitary plans of narrow streets, skyscraper buildings and pestilential slums are not permitted further, and their place taken by broad thoroughfares and well lighted and ventilated lanes. It may cost a little more in the beginning but will prevent such calamities as we have seen come upon the Colony of late years from overcrowding,
"It was for this that we required Mr. Whitehead. We wanted him to keep our officials up to the mark. To act as a spur and whip to them and prevent them from imagining for a moment that so long as they themselves
te satisfied all must be well and in order. But we are to lose Mr. Whitehead, and we greatly fear that there will be nobody capable of taking his place. But it is not only in our little world of politics that Mr. Whitehead's departure will be regretted. Our sportsmen one and all will mourn the absence of the keen polo player, and his stalwart figure and genial Mindly nature will be greatly missed. In fact there were two Whiteheads; one the Hon. Thomas Whitehead, Manager of the Chartered Bank and Member of Council, and the other the plain Whitehead of the world of sport, the jolly host and thusiastic sportsman, ever ready to join in any manly game in season and over as willing to help the youngster with a word or two of good advice. These are the two gentlemen to whom we so soon have to bid God- speed, and whose faces we shall so sorely miss."
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