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Tong A-chick continued his studies at the Church of England Anglo-Chinese School under the supervision of the Colonial Chaplain of Hongkong, the Rev. Mr. Vincent Stanton.
Upon the arrival of the first Bishop of Victoria in March 1850, the school was placed under his charge and was renamed St Paul's College. The bishop took a special interest in Tong A-chick as he was one of his first converts.
A-CHICK: IN AND OUT OF TROUBLE
When the first Bishop of Victoria, the Right Rev. George Smith, arrived in Hongkong in March 1850, the Church of England Anglo-Chinese School was reorganised as St. Paul's College.
Among its senior pupils was Tong A-chick, known in later life as Tong Mow-chee, who only attended part time as he was also interpreter in the Chief Magistrate's office.
In the autumn of 1847 the Hongkong Government faced a crisis over the post of interpreter. Daniel Richard Caldwell, who had held the office for several years, found himself in financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt. In consequence he resigned his office with the Government.
An appeal was made to the Morrison Education Society School for a replacement. A-chick took over Caldwell's position at a salary of £125, a handsome one for so young a man. This sudden rise to affluence may account for some of his later troubles.
Not everyone was pleased with the appointment. In reporting a court case, the China Mail noted that the foreman of the jury objected to having A-chick serve as interpreter. He refused, however, to state the grounds of his objection and the judge compromised by ordering someone to check on A-chick's interpretation.
The suspicions of the jury foreman appear to have had some foundation, for in the summer of 1851 A-chick was charged with being in league with pirates.
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tinued his studies at the Church of England Anglo-Chinese School under the supervision of the Colonial Chaplain of Hongkong, the Rev. Mr. Vincent Stanton.
Upon the arrival of the first Bishop of Victoria in March 1850, the school was placed under his charge and was renamed St Paul's College. The bishop took a special interest in Tong A-chick as he was one of his first converts.
A-CHICK: IN AND OUT OF TROUBLE
When the first Bishop of Victoria, the Right Rev. George Smith, arrived in Hongkong in March 1850, the Church of Eng- land Anglo-Chinese School was reorganised as St. Paul's College.
Among its senior pupils was Tong A-chick, known in later life as Tong Mow-chee, who only attended part time as he was also interpreter in the Chief Magistrate's office.
In the autumn of 1847 the Hongkong Government faced a cri- sis over the post of interpreter. Daniel Richard Caldwell, who had held the office for several years, found himself in financial difficul- ties and was declared bankrupt. In consequence he resigned his office with the Government.
An appeal was made to the Morrison Education Society School for a replacement. A-chick took over Caldwell's position at a sala- ry of £125, a handsome one for so young a man. This sudden rise to affluence may account for some of his later troubles.
Not everyone was pleased with the appointment. In reporting a court case, the China Mail noted that the foreman of the jury objected to having A-chick serve as interpreter. He refused, how- ever, to state the grounds of his objection and the judge compro- mised by ordering someone to check on A-chick's interpretation.
The suspicions of the jury foreman appear to have had some foundation, for in the summer of 1851 A-chick was charged with being in league with pirates.
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