345
GOVERNORS
Continuation
the time to do justice to Elliot's real merits.
Apart from calling the ravine, which we now know as Glenealy, after the first administrator, nothing was done to perpetuate the memory of the man whose work deserved permanent record: and in later years even this commemoration was permitted to lapse with the re-naming of the glen. We read that in 1842, Sir Robert Peel, who had just appointed Captain Elliot to be British Consul-General in Texas, referred in Parliament to the former Hongkong administrator's abilities in somewhat reserved terms, declaring that "without giving any opinion on the conduct or character of Captain Elliot, during the occupancy of his difficult and embarrassing position at Canton, he nevertheless was disposed, from his intercourse with him since he returned home, to repose the highest confidence in his integrity and ability."
It may not be out of place to suggest that when the next batch of the Colony's roadways comes to be named, the powers-that-be might remember Captain Elliot: most of us nowadays will agree that his qualifications were at least equal to those of many who have been honoured in this way.
Sir Henry Pottinger arrived at Macao on August 10, 1841, and took over the administration of this Colony as from that date, coming over to Hongkong in due course, and setting at rest all doubts as to Britain's intention of retaining the island. Sir Henry's career has already been summarised (see 4-11-33) and references to various aspects of his administration have been made. He was the first actual Governor of the Colony, the appointment to a Governorship being made some time after his arrival (in June 1843), and he instituted the local Civil Service on an organised basis that year.
His term of office ceased in May 1844, and he left here for home in June. There was some criticism of Sir Henry's regime during the latter period, but obviously it was not possible to satisfy everybody, and it can be said with truth that he administered well, and received due recognition for his labours while out here, and afterwards. We have Pottinger Street and Pottinger Peak as two commemorations that readily come to mind.
The next Governor was Sir John Davis, whose term lasted from May 1844 to March 1848. His was an unpopular regime in many ways, and the character of the man appears to have been against his proper control of affairs: brought up in the tradition of the East India Company, he was not able to rid himself of many stereotyped methods or see things other than with preconceived prejudices; or so we must judge from the comment of contemporary chroniclers. A resume of Sir John's governance has already been published (see 4-9-33). He was a Chinese scholar of some distinction, and was honoured with a K.C.B. and the D.C.L. of Oxford University. He died in 1890 at the age of ninety-six. Mount Davis is called after this old-time Governor.
Page 75
Page 76
345
GOVERNORS
Continuation
the time to do justice to Elliot's real merits."
Apart from calling the ravine, which we now know as Glenealy, after the first administrator, nothing was done to perpetuate the memory of the man whose work deserved permanent record: and in later years even this
commemoration was permitted to lapse with the re-naming
of the glen. We read that in 1842, Sir Robert Peel, who had just appointed Captain Elliot to be British Consul-General in Texas, referred in Parliament to the former Hongkong administrator's abilities in somewhat reserved terms, declaring that "without giving any opinion on the conduct or character of Captain Elliot, during the occupancy of his difficult and embarrassing position at Canton, he nevertheless was disposed, from his intercourse with him since he returned home, to repose the highese confidence in his integrity and ability."!
It may not be out of place to suggest that when the next batch of the Colony's roadways comes to be named, the powers-that-be might remember Captain Elliot: most of us nowadays will agree that his qualifications were at least equal to those of many who have been honoured in this way.
Sir Henry Pottinger arrived at Macao on August 10, 1841, and took over the administration of this Colony as from that date, coming over to Hongkong in due course, and setting at rest all doubts as to Britain's intention of retaining the island. Sir Henry's career has already been summarised' (see 4-11-33) and references to various aspects of his ad- ministration have been made.. fle was the first actual Governor of the Colony, the appointment to a Governorship being made some time after his arrival (in June 1843), and he instituted the local Civil Service on an organised basis that year.
His term of office ceased in May 1844, and he left here for Hone in June. There was some critizism of Sir Henry's regine during the latter period, but obviously it was not possible to satisfy everybody, and it can be said with truth that he administered well, and received due recognition for his labours while out here, and afterwards. We have Pottinger Street and Pottinger Peak as two commemorations that readily come to mind.
The next Governor was Sir John Davis, whose term lasted from May 1844 to March 1848. His was an unpopular regine in many ways, and the character of the man appears to have been against his proper control of affairs: brought up in the traditim of the East India Company, he was not able to rid himself of many stereotyped methods or see things other than with preconceived prejudices; or so we must judge from the comment of contemporary chroniclers. A resume of Sir John's governance
·
has already been published (seė 4-9-33). He was a Chinese scholar of some distinction, and was honoured with a K.C.B. and the D.0.L. of Oxford University. He died in 1890 at the age of ninety-six. Mount Davis is called after this old- time Governor.
Page 75Page 76
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.