SIR MATTHEW NATHAN
was
One of the most interesting Governors of Hong Kong Sir Matthew Nathan, after whom Nathan Road probably the finest thoroughfare in the Colony was named. As previously mentioned, this street was formerly known as Robinson Road after a former Governor. Sir Matthew Nathan had a distinguished military career before entering the Colonial Service, and was one of the last few military men who held the administrative position here.
He served as Governor of the Colony from 1903 to 1907 being subsequently Governor of Natal, later taking up various important appointments in Government posts in Britain (including that of Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland). He became Governor of Queensland, from 1920 to 1926, and was a member of the Special Commission on the Constitution of Ceylon from 1927 to 1928. Last year Sir Matthew was made a Sheriff of Somerset: he resides permanently at Yeovil.
It is interesting now to turn to the local Press comments at the time of his appointment to the Colony.
The Hong Kong Telegraph of September 9, 1903, stated:
"Although speculation has been busy associating the name of one and then of another as the Governor to be appointed in succession to Sir Henry Blake, promoted, it was little expected that the appointment would be given to the incumbent of the governorship of the Gold Coast Colony. We publish in another column the official intimation that: His Majesty the King has been pleased to appoint Major (now Lt.-Col.) Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G. (now G.C.M.G.) Royal Engineers, at present Governor of the Gold Coast, to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong in succession to His Excellency Sir Henry Blake. What has prompted the selection of a military official to govern this Colony is little known at the present moment. It is purely conjectural that the part Hong Kong may yet be called upon to play in these regions may require a man at the head of the Executive whose military qualifications should eminently fit him to guide its destinies no less in imperial than in colonial interest. In certain quarters it is urged that the commercial importance of the Colony demands at the head of its affairs a Civil Governor conversant with its commercial needs, and an administrator with such training should better be fitted to discharge the duties compatible with the surrounding interests of the Colony. Theoretically, this may be so; but practically, Hong Kong could hope for no better administrators were the Colony given in its military Governor a head of the executive of the calibre of His Excellency Sir William Gascoigne and Major General Blake, who were the last two of the General Officers Commanding to control the affairs of Government during the absence from the Colony of the substantive holders of the appointment.
"With our new Governor's previous career in the Colonial Service we have, at present, but little acquaintance. Entering the Army, Major Sir Matthew Nathan was made a lieutenant of Royal Engineers on the 19th May, 1880, and on July 31st, nine years later, was promoted to a captaincy, while on the 1st September, 1898, he was gazetted major. He served in the Nile Expedition, 1885; and Lushai Campaign (medal with clasp) 1898. For services as Secretary of the Colonial Defence Committee he was made a Commander of the Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St. George in 1899, and last year as a Coronation honour, had conferred on him a knighthood of the same order. During the absence of Colonel Sir F. Cardew, K.C.M.G., Major Nathan administered the Government of Sierra Leone for a period of six and a half months from the 28th March to 14th October 1899. The conditions of that
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SIR MATTHEW NATHAN
was
One of the most interesting Governors of Hong Kong Sir Matthew Nathan, after whom Nathan Road probably the finest thoroughfare in the Colony was named. As previously mentioned, this street was formerly known as Robinson Road after a former Governor. Sir Matthew Nathan had a distinguished military career before entering the Colonial Service, and was one of the last few military men who held the administrative position here.
He served as 'Governor of the Colony from 1903/to 1907 being subsequently Governor of Natal, later taking up various important appointments in Government posts in Britain (including that of Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland). He became Governor of Queensland, from 1920 to 1926, and was a member of the Special Commission on the Constitution of Ceylon from 1927 to 1928. Last year Sir Matthew was made a Sheriff of Somerset: he resides permanently at Yeovil.
It is interesting now to turn to the local Press comments at the time of his appointment to the Colony.
**
*
*
*
The HongKong Telegraph of September 9, 1903, stated:
"Although speculation has been busy associating the name of one and then of another as the Governor to be appointed in succession to Sir Henry Blake, promoted, it was little expected that the appointment would be given to the incumbent of the governorship of the Gold Coast Colony. We publish in another column the official intimation that: His Majesty the King has been pleased to appoint Major (now Lt.-Col. Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G. (now G.C.M.G.) Roayal Engineers, at present Governor of the Gold Coast, to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong in succession to His Excellency Sir Henry Blake. What has prompted the selection of a military official to govern this Colony is little known at the present moment. It is purely conjectural that the part Hong Kong may yet be called upon to play in these regions may require a man at the head of the Executive whose military qualifications khould eminently fit him to guide its destinies no less in imperial than in colonial interest. In certain quarters it is urged that the commercial importance of the Colony demands at the head of its affairs a Civil Governor conversant with its commercial needs, and an administrator with such training should better be fitted to discharge the duties compatible with the surrounding interests of the Colony. Theoretically, this may be so; but practically, Hong Kong could hope for no better administrators were the Colony given in its military Governor a head of the executive of the calibre of His Excellency Sir William Gascoigne and Major General Blake, who were the last two of the General Officers Commanding to control the affairs of Government during the absence from the Colony of the substantive holders of the appointment.
"With our new Governor's previous career in the Colonial Service we have, at present, but little acquaintance. Entering the Army, Major Jir Matthew Nathan was made a lieutenant of Royal Engineers on the 19th May, 1880, and on July 31st., nine years later, was promoted to a captaincy, while on the 1st. September, 1898, he was gazetted major. He served in the Nile Expedition, 1885; and Lushai Campaign (medal with clasp) 1898. For services as Secretary of the Colonial Defence Committee he was made a Commander of the Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St. George in 1899, and last year as a Coronation homour, had conferred on him a knighthood of the same order. During the absence of Colonel Sir F. Cardew, K.C.M.G. Major Nathan administered the Government of Sierra Leone for a period of six and a half months from the 28th. March to 14th. October 1899. The conditions of that
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