577
The name of those who will cordially endorse the sentiments of "Daybreak", in Sport and Gossip (Shanghai), in regard to the late J.D. Humphreys, is simply legion, and as they are sure to interest the large majority of our readers we need tender no apology for producing them in extenso as follows:
"The flag at half mast at the Grand Stand on Wednesday morning last (November 17) was the first intimation I received of the death at home of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, of Hongkong, in which sea-girt citadel his name will forever hold an honourable position. In business his common sense, shrewdness, and foresight brought to a successful issue the many companies with which he was connected. As a friend many and many a one knows now what they have lost. Yet no one ever will know of the generous deeds done so quietly in the way of helping those less fortunate - the hand ever ready to assist a friend over a dangerous part in life's road and the advice so valuable that was so generously given. Straightforwardness, and the hating of anything mean and contemptible were only some of the good qualities in Mr. Humphreys' character, and he was loath to extend his generosity to those whom he did not consider deserved it, nor did he, as some do, wish his good deeds published to the world. A little incident that happened once when I was passing through Hongkong is worthy of mention. The scene was at the Hongkong Bank, and Mr. Humphreys was waiting till those in front of him had been attended to. A well-known broker who is now a member of this community, had had 25 Bank shares stolen from him, and the Bank required as well as his guarantee the amount. Mr. Humphreys heard what it was, and when he was asked what was required said: 'I will stand as guarantee for 500 more if necessary.'
"As a sportsman, and it was in that capacity many years ago that I first met Mr. Humphreys - I never forgot a little kindness that I was able to show him when racing here (in Shanghai) across country, and never have I met him here or in Hongkong but that kindly mention was made of every trivial act.
In racing here during some Meetings he has a long string of ponies in training, and the following were the numbers he entered in the Shanghai Stakes Spring 1889, Autumn 12; Spring 1890, 17; Autumn 18; Spring 1891, 6, his chief successes were winning the Griffins in 1889 and the Champions in 1890. On many occasions his ponies ran second in our classic events, notably in the Maidens, Shanghai Derby, St. Leger and Shanghai Stakes. Strange to say, to all the ponies he bought as griffins he gave names commencing with V, the best of whom were Visitant, Vaticinator, Vagrant, Visitation, Vigour, Volcano and Venture. A generous hearty sportsman has passed beyond the border, and those who mourn his loss in the Far East may be counted in hundreds."
A son took charge after the pioneer's death, and the firm has continued, together with its subsidiaries, to form an integral part of the Colony's business activities.
HONGKONG LIBRARY
577
The name of those who will adially endorse the sentiments of "Daybreak", in Sport and Gossip (Shanghai), in regard to the late J.D. humphreys, is simply legion, and as they are sure to interest the large majority of our readers we need tender no apology for producing them in extenso as follows:
"The flag at half mast at the Grand Stand on Wednesday morning last (November 17) was the first intimation I received or the death at home of Mr. J.D. Humphreys, of Hongkong, in which sea-girt citadel his name will forever hold an honourable position. In business his common sense, shrewdness, and foresight brought to a successful issue the many companies with which he was connected. As a friend many and many a one knows now what they have lost. Yet no one ever will know of the generous deeds done so quietly in the way of helping those less fortunate - the hand ever ready to assist a friend over a dangerou part in life's road and the advice so valuable that was so gen rously given. Straightforwardness, and the hating of anything mean and contemptible were only some of the good qualities in Mr.Humphreys' character, and he was loth to extend his generosi ty to those whom he did not consider deserved it, or did he, as some do, wish his good deeds published to the world. A little incident that happened once when I was passing through Hongkong is worthy or mention. The scene was at thadongkong Bank, and Mr.Humphreys we waiting till those in front of him had been attended to. A well known broker who is now member of this community, had 1.2 or had had stolen from hin 25 Bank shares, and the Bank required as well as his guarantee the amount. Mr. Humphreys heart as.ed what it was, and when he I will stand as guarantee for 500 more if necessary.
Sa
that of an approved outsi der for
that there was some trouble bed what was required said:
for the 25 shares and
"As a sportsman, and it was that capacity many years ago that I first met Mr. Humphreys
ever forgot a little kindness that i was able to show him when Veding here (in Shanghai) across country, and never have I met hither here or in Hongkong but that kindly mention was made of ery trivial act.
In racing here during some Meetings he has long string of ponies in training, and the following weree numbers he entered in the Shanghai Stakes Spring 1889, Autumn 12; Spring 1890, 17; Autumn 18; Spring 1891, 6, is chief successes were winning the Griffins in 1889 and the Champions in 1890. On many occasions his ponies ran second in our classic events, notably in the Maidens Shanghai Derby. St. Leger and Shanghai Stakes. Strange to say, to all the ponies he bought as griffins he gave names commencing with V. the best of whom were Visitant, Vaticinator, Vagrant, Visitation, Vigour, Volcano and Venture. A generous hearty sportsman has passed beyond the order, and those who mourn his loss in the Far East may be dounted in hundreds."
A son took charge after the pioneer's death, and the firm has continued, together with its subsidiaries, to form an integral part of the Colony's business aptivities.
HONE
LIBRARY
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