SIR HENRY MAY
The date, July 4, recalls an incident of exactly twenty-one years ago, when an attempt was made to assassinate a Governor of Hongkong. That was Sir Henry May, one of the most interesting personalities the Colony has ever had in an administrative post, after whom was named May Road, while the Helena May Institute commemorates his wife. "Paddy" May, as he was known to residents of the time, and as he is still recalled by people to-day, was an able administrator, with a long connexion with the Colony. He had been an energetic junior Government officer, appointed originally as a Cadet, and had served ably from the early Nineties in several executive posts. He was Captain Superintendent of Police in 1893, and the Police Department under Paddy May did a great deal towards checking abuses and getting a grip on affairs, as required at the time. He rendered conspicuous service during the terrible epidemic of bubonic plague in the Colony in 1894, and in 1895 was made a C.M.G. in recognition of that work. He was knighted (K.C.M.G.) a few years later. He afterwards became Colonial Secretary (1902) and administered the government on several occasions.
Sir Henry May left Hongkong at the end of 1910 to administer the government of Fiji, and returned in 1912 as Governor of the Colony. His work for the University was another of the outstanding instances of his interest in local welfare. He also became an enthusiastic golfer, and did much to develop Fanling.
On July 4, 1912, the newly-appointed Governor arrived here on his return from Fiji, and a great reception was arranged. Sir Henry and Lady May, accompanied by their four daughters, landed at Blake Pier and occupied the State sedan chairs for a ceremonial procession to the City Hall, where addresses of welcome were to be presented. Shortly after the procession had started, and when the chairs had arrived opposite what is known to-day as Union Building, then named Hotel Mansions, being an annexe of the Hongkong Hotel, a Chinese stepped forward from the crowd and fired a shot from a revolver. The bullet passed close to the Governor, going under the awning of his chair, and lodged in the chair occupied by Lady May, where it was subsequently found. The would-be assassin had stepped from the verandah of the Post Office, and passed through the line of guards. He fired at a range of about three feet, but had no opportunity to pull the trigger a second time, as he was immediately seized and the Police had difficulty in protecting him from the crowd. As it was, he had a rough handling, and his clothes were in tatters by the time he reached the Police Station. The man was understood to be the son of a former Lukong who had been imprisoned fifteen years previously during the local gambling scandal, on a charge of bribery, and as Sir Henry May had been head of the Police at that time, and had done a great deal towards suppressing this corruption, it is presumed the act was one of personal revenge. The man was tried, and received a life sentence.
The Governor, maintaining perfect calm, proceeded to the City Hall, where two addresses were presented, one on behalf of the British community by Sir Paul Chater, and another on behalf of the Chinese by Sir Kai Ho-kai. Sir Henry May replied to these without betraying in the least the trying experience he had just passed through. It is interesting to note that when the oath of allegiance was afterwards taken, the King's commission of appointment was read out by Sir (then Mr.) Cecil Clementi, at that time Clerk of Councils.
The State sedan chairs were never used again, for shortly afterwards the Governor was provided with a motor-car.
Sir Henry May died in 1922. He is one of those to whom a statue has been erected by local citizens, in Statue Square.
SIR HENKY MAY
The date, July 4, recalls an incident of exactly twenty-one years ago, when an attempt was made to assassinate a Governor of Hongkong. That was Sir Henry May, one of the most interesting personalities the Colony has ever had in an administrative post, after whom was need May Road, while the Helena May Institute commemorates his wife, "Faddy" May, as he was known to residents of the time, and as he is still recalled by people to-day, was an able administrator, with a long connexion with the Colony. He had been an energetic junior Govern- ment officer, appointed originally as a Cadet, and had served ably from the early Nineties in several executive posts. He was Captain Superintendent of Police in 1893, and the Police Department under Paddy May did a great deal towards checking abuses and getting a grip on affairs, as required at the time. He rendered conspicuous service during the terrible epidemic of bubonic plague in the Colony in 1894, and in 1395 was made a C.M.G. in recognition of that work. He was knighted (K.J.M.G.) a few years later. He afterwards became Colonial Secretary (1902) and administered the government on several occasions.
Sir Henry May left Hongkong at the end of 1910 to administer the government of Fiji, and returned in 1912 as Governor of the Colony. His work for the University was another of the outstanding instances of his interest in local welfare. He also became an enthusiastic golfer, and did much to develop Fanling.
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ST.
On July 4, 1912, the newly-appointed Governor arrived here on his return from Fiji, and a great reception was arranged. Sir Henry and Lady May, accompanied by their four daughters, landed at Blake Pier and sauered the State sedan chairs for a ceremonial procession to the City Hall, where addresses of welcome were to be presented. Shortly after the procession had started, and when the chairs had arrived opposite what is known to-day as Union Building, then named Hotel Mansions, being an annexe of the Hongkong Hotel, a Chinese stepped forward from the crowd and fired a shot from a revolver. The bullet passed close to the Governor, going under the awning of his chair, and lodged in the chair occupied by Lady May, where it was subsequently found. The would-be assassin had stepped from the verandah of the Post Office, and passed through the line of guards. He fired at a range of about three feet, but had no opportunity to pull the trigger a second time, as he was immediately seized and the Police had difficulty in protecting him from the crowd. As it was, ho had a rough handling, and his clothes were in tatters by the time he reached the Police Station. The man was understood to be the son of a former Lukong who had been imprisoned fifteen years previously during the local gambling scandal, on a charge of bribery, and as Sir Henry May had been head of the Police at that time, and had done a great deal towards suppressing this corruption, it is presumed the act was one of personal revenge. The man was tried, and received a life sentence.
The Governor, maintaining perfect calm, proceeded to the City Hall, where two addresses were presented, one on behalf of the British community by Sir Paul Chater, and another on behalf of the Chinese by Sir Kai Ho-kai. Si: Henry May replied to these without betraying in the least the trying exerience he had just passed through. It is interesting to note that when
'} oath of allegiance was afterwards taken, the King's commission of -ppointment was read out by Sir (then Mr.) Cecil Clementi, at that time Clerk of Councils.
The State sedan chairs were never used again, for shortly afterwards The Governor was provided with a motor-car.
Sir Henry May died in 1922. He is one of those to whom a state has been erected by local citizens, in Statue Square.
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