CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The annual meeting of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce yesterday suggests looking up the records of this body. Trade, of course, was the paramount reason for Hongkong's existence, but in the earliest days commerce was supervised by a Chief Superintendent of Trade with his assistants. The first Administrator of the Colony, Capt. Charles Elliot, R.N., originally held this commercial post. But it became necessary for the civilian population to take a greater share in commercial control as the Colony grew, and as far back as 1861 the H.K. General Chamber of Commerce came into existence. At the inaugural meeting, representatives of various nationalities were elected members, and at the first annual meeting the following were among the committee chosen: Messrs. D. Delano (American), D. Nissen (German), and T. B. Exey (Parsee).
The records show that the first president of the Chamber was Mr. Alex Percival (of Jardine's), the Vice-President was Mr. W. Walkinshaw (of Turner and Co.), and the Secretary was Mr. J. Johnson. The first member chosen to represent the Chamber on the Legislative Council, in 1883, was Mr. (afterwards Sir) Thomas Jackson, who was then Chief Manager of the H.K. and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The Chamber of Commerce held its early meetings in a room in the Court House formerly occupied by the Royal Asiatic Society (since defunct), which was placed at its disposal by the authorities.
The publication the other day of the annual report of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce suggests looking up some of the old connexions with that body, and the result is most interesting as showing how many of the firms at present flourishing in the Colony have been members, either in unbroken "lineage" or through predecessors, since the Sixties. As mentioned in a previous note ("29-6-33"), The Chamber was established in 1861, and of the firms who are now members, we find the following that can claim early association:
Members since 1861: Jardine Matheson and Co., Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, Bibb, Livingston and Co., Ltd., Douglas Steamship and Co. Ltd., Gilman and Co., Ltd., and Siemssen and Co., and David Sassoon and Co.
Members since 1863: Mackinnon, Mackenzie and Co., and Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, successors to the Compagnie des Messageries Imperiales.
Since 1865: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, formerly the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Company.
Since 1869: Reiss, Massey and Co., Ltd., and Melchers and Co.
Brief reference has already been made to the history of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce (see 29-6-33), but something more is due for publication, and it is intended to deal fairly extensively with the subject here. For the additional facts, I am indebted to the excellent brief history published at the time of the Chamber's 50th anniversary in 1911, written by the Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, at that time its chairman.
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The annual meeting of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce yesterday suggests looking up the records of this body/ Trade of course, was the paramount reason for Hongkong's existence but in the earliest days commerce was supervised by a Chief Duperintendent of Trade with his assistants. The first Administrator of the Colony, Capt. Charles Elliot, R. N. originally held this commercia post. But it became necessary for the civilian popula- tion to take a greater share in commercial control as the Colony grew, and as far back as 1861 the H.K. Gene-· ral Chamber of Commerce came into existence. At the inau- gural meeting representatives of various nationalities were elected members, and at the first annual meeting the following were among the committee chosen Messrs. D. Delano (American ). D. Nissen (German) and T. B. Exey [ Parsee ). The records show that the first presider.c of the Chmber was Mr. Alex Percival ( of Jardine's ) the Vice-President was Mr. W. Walkinshaw ( of Turner and Co.) and the Secretary was Mr. J. Johnson. The first member chosen to represent the Chamber on the Legisla- tive Council, in 1883, was Mr. ( afterwads Sir Thomas Jackson, who was then Chief Manager of the H.K. and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The Chamber of Commerce held its early meetings in a room in the Court House formerly occupied by the Royal Asiatic Society ( since defunct) which was placed at its disposal by the autho- rities.
The publication the orther day of the annual report of the Hongkong General Chmber of Commerce suggests looking up some of the old connexions with that of the body, and the result is most interesting as showing how many of the firms at present flourishing in the Colony have been members, either in unbroken " lineage " or through predecessors, since the Sixties. As mentioned in a previous note ("29-6-33 ) The Chamber was established in 1861, and of the firms who are now members we find the following that can claim e arly association :-
Members since 1861, Jardine Matheson and Co., Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, Bibb, Livingston and Co., Ltd. Douglas Steamship and Co. Ltd., Gilman and Co, Ltd., and Siemssen and Co. and David Sassoon and Co.,
Members since 1863, Mackinnon, Mackenzie and Co., and Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes successors to the Compagnie des Messageries Imperiales.
Since 1865, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, fromerly the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Company.
Since 1869, Reiss, Massey and Co., Ltd., and
Melchers and Co.
Brief reference has already been made to the history of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce ( see 29-6-33 ) but something more is due for publication and it is intended to deal fairly extensively with the sub- ject here. For the additional facts I am indebted to the excellent brief history published at the time of the Chamber's 50th anniversary in 1911, written by the Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, at that time its chairman.
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