STEWART LOCKHART
From time to time, in these daily articles devoted to the history of the Colony, I have told the story of some of the history-makers.
If ever a roll of honour for services rendered to Hongkong is compiled, the name of the Hon. Mr. J.H. Stewart Lockhart, former Colonial Secretary and Registrar-General must find a prominent place. It is doubtful if there was ever a more popular official, and when he finally left to become first Commissioner at Weihaiwei, the local population, both Chinese and foreign, felt they had lost a true friend.
In presenting Mr. Lockhart with an address on behalf of the Chinese community, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai (later Sir Kai Ho Kai) had this to say of the departing Colonial Secretary.
In 1882 Mr. Lockhart arrived here to find Hongkong in a depressed condition, owing to the collapse of the great land speculation that occurred during the year previous; and he found also an embittered feeling between two important sections of the community. Young as Mr. Lockhart was then, and although occupying a minor position in the Government, he at once interested himself in the welfare of the Colony, and endeavoured to promote a better understanding between the Europeans and the Chinese. For a very few years only did he occupy the position of Assistant Colonial Secretary. His ability and profound knowledge of Chinese secured him rapid promotion to the important post of Registrar-General and Protector of Chinese that they received so much benefit from his hands. The period of his tenure of that office was marked by great progress among the Chinese and by the adoption of more effective measures for the preservation of order and peace among them.
The leading Chinese citizens, who had hitherto been more or less apathetic towards public affairs, came forward in comparatively large numbers and took a keener and more active interest in civic welfare. They gave the Government their full co-operation and support and gave largely to the various local charitable institutions and took a more active part in their management.
It was Mr. Lockhart who reorganised the present District Watchmen force and obtained the appointment of twelve representative Chinese gentlemen as a supervising committee, and as an Advisory Board to the Government. It was Mr. Lockhart who remodelled the Po Leung Kuk and placed it in its present permanent and satisfactory condition. The noteworthy improvements in the Tung Wah Hospital, which had been effected without in any way interfering with the management by the Chinese, were largely due to him, and the five hospitals that have been established principally for the treatment of sick Chinese, such as the Alice and Mathersole Hospitals, had his unremitting and energetic support.
He took a large share in the suppression of the Triad and Kindred secret societies; and quietly, but effectively, and without bloodshed, settled many a strike and quelled many a riot caused by coolies and the labouring classes.
During the last seven years he held the office of Colonial Secretary and that of Registrar-General combined, and although his official duties were thus multiplied to an enormous extent, he never neglected the welfare of the Chinese, but, on the contrary, had proved to them that, however much he had been occupied with other duties, he always had a spare moment to devote to their interests. Finally, as Commissioner of the New Territories, Mr. Lockhart had been successful in establishing order and in bringing to its large native population peace and good government. The Chinese community appreciated fully his kindness and were most thankful for his solicitude for their welfare.
680
63
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STEWART LOCKHART
From time to time, in these daily articles devoted to the history of the Colony, I have told the story of some of the history-makers.
If ever a roll of honour for services rendered to Hongkong is com piled, the name of the Hon.Mr.J.H. Stewart Lockhart, former Colonial Secretary and Registrar-General must find a prominent place. It is doubtful if there was ever a more popular official, and when he finally left to become first Commissioner at Weihaiwei, the local population, both Chinese and foreign, felt they had lost a true friend.
In presenting Mr. Lockhart with an address on behalf of the Chinese community, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai (later Sir Kai Ho Kai) had this to say of the departing Colonial Secretary.
In 1882 Mr. Lockhart arrived here to find Hongkong in a depressed condition, owing to the collapse of the great land speculation that occurred during the year previous; and he found also an embittered feeling between two important sections of the community. Young as Mr. Lockhart was then, and although occupying a minor position in the Government, he at once interested himself in the welfare of the Colony, and endeavoured to promote a better understanding between the Europeans and the Chinese. For a very few years only did he occupy the position of Assistant Colonial Secretary. His ability and profound knowledge of Chinese secured him rapid promotion to the important post of Registrar- General and. Protector of Chinese that they received so much benefit From his hands. The period of his tenure of that office was marked by great progress among the Chinese and by the adoption of more effective measures for the preservation of order and peace among them.
The leading Chinese citizens, who had hitherto been more or less apathetic towards public affairs, came forward in comparatively large numbers and took a keener and more active interest in civic welfare. They gave the Government their full co-operation and support and gave largely to the various local charitable institutions and took a more active part in their management.
It was Mr. Lockhart who reorganised the present District Watchmen force and obtained the appointment of twelve representative Chinese gentlemen as a supervising committee, and as an Advisory Board to the Government. It was Mr. Lockhart who remodelled the Po Leung Kuk and placed it in its present permanent and satisfactory condition. The Loteworthy improvements in the Tung Wah Hospital, which had been effected without in any way interfering with the management by the Chinese, were largely due to him, and the five hospitals that have been established principally for the treatment of sick Chinese, such as the Alice and Mathersole Hospitals, had his unremitting and energetic support.
He took a large share in the suppression of the Triad and Kindred secret societies; and quietly, but effectively, and without bloodshed, settled many a strike and quelled many a riot caused by coolies and the labouring classes.
During the last seven years he held the office of Colonial Secretary and that of Registrar-General combined, and although his official duties were thus multiplied to an enormous extent, he never neglected the welfare of the Chinese, but, on the contrary, had proved to them that, however, much he had been occupied with other duties, he always had a spare ...oment to devote to their interests. Finally, as Commissioner of the New Territories, Mr. Lockhart had been successful in establishing order and in bringing to its large native population peace and good government. The Chinese community appreciated fully his kindness and were most thankful for his solicitude for their welfare.
680
63
!
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