1938-01-12 — Page 31

THE HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. WEDNESDAY,

JANUARY

∙12, 1938.

"What Might Have Been A Happy and Flourishing Colony was Hell on Earth”

A pourd of value

COLONY'S MOST UNPOPULAR LEADER for an ounce of cost

"MISUNDERSTOOD”

IS EPITAPH OF · SIR JOHN DAVIS

One of the most interesting and at the same time most misunderstood of Hongkong's carly colonial administrators was the Colony's second Governor - Sir John Francis Davis.

He was a man of whom his contemporaries had widely diver gent opinions. The Home Government under the Ministry of Lord Elgin regarded Sir John as the man who best understood local conditions in Britain's newly acquired Far Eastern Colony: for he had spent many years in China and had been the Chief Superintendent of Trade at the East India Company's "factory" or trading post at Canton.

But he was not a universal favourite here as his mode of life, coupled with his scholarly, retiring nature, like that of Sir John Bowring, another occupant of the gubernatorial chair, Hou mata. Indeed, rendered him more or less a persona

Sir John was never happier than when immersed in his Chinese studies; for he was the foremost sinologue of that day and enjoyed a reputation throughout Europe on account of his profound knowledge of China and things Chinese.

Sir John Francis Davis was abandoning the idea of any poll-tax born in England on July 16, 1795, on Chinese residents, and exempting. and died at his residence, Holly-from registration all sivi, naval un military employees, all members of wood Tower, Westbury-on-Tyne, the learned professions, merchants. near Bristol in November 13,shup-keepers, house-holders, tenant

T persons. 1890. During his long life of of Crown property, nearly 96 years he distinguished having an income of more than $500 himself for his literary achieve-

year."

Whilst Sir John was unfortunate

The most important project under this sending upon which he em- barked was the draining of Wongnei-

ments and some of his publica in his relations with his local com- tions on China are still regardedmunity on account of his ultra-aristo as standard works, and widely cratic and martinet ideas, he did read even to-day. Indeed one of much to improve the Colony's living conditions in one respect-sanitation. the most scholarly of his works was Written before he was 27 years of ase, this being a volume of Chinese novels translated into English. An- other of his earlier literary efforts was a book entitled "The Fortunate Union" published in 1820. However, the work upon which rests his re

a learned! putation as a writer was treatise on the eustoms and charac- teristics of the Chinese people which was published in 1830.

------~~~~~~~~~|~||~||~|~|~

Personalities

Of Old. Hongkong" By T. Paul Gregory

SIR JOHN DAVIS

"Made Things Uncomfortabic"

Yard May Soon Be Taking

Earprints

RADIO BROADCAST

Amateur Experts: Sixth

Of the Series

MOANA BEACH BOYS Radio Programme Broadcast by Z.B.W. on Frequencies of 845 .ca 0.62 m.c's per second.

6-7 Chinese Programme, 7.00 Danca Recorii. Fox-Trot You Needn't Have Kept

It A Secret. In The Mountains of Primo Seal's Ac- the Moon. cordion Band.

7.06 Closing Locat Stock Quota- tions and Hongkong Exchange Market Report.

7.10 London Relay "Take Your Choice'.

A weekly Entertainment Feature MacLurg. presented by

'Un-

IntroductionThe Orchestra. der City Light-A brief glimpse in sung at a London cabaret. Tales of Ben Bigg-2: A series of Commer- ciul Rumours written by Lauri Wylle. The Bangalory Man-Come in song and wandering with us Melody. The Spinner of Death- Episode 2:

The Limehouse Barge. An adventure serial by Franklyn Kelsey, introducing Jim Travers and hl friends, Terence O'Malley and Jeremlak and the sinister character, Mr. Situ; Yours Sincerely-The Orchestra.

7.40 London: Relay 'A Theme and at Song'.

A theme and a Song "This week': Rain Songs. The Bay, the Girl, und the Trio with Josel Moris and his Band. The programme presented by William MacLurg.

7.50 Interlude-Chopin-Nocturne in C Sharp Minor; Paganini-La Campanella (Rondo from "Concerto Violin Solo No. 2 in B ninor")

by Natan Milstein.

8.00 Local Time Signal, Weather Report and Announcements.

8.03 Studio, George Pearson and his Monna Beach Boys.

1.

4.

Leis for sale; 2. Malinini mele; Meet me to-night in Dreamland; Niu haohao;. 5. Hawaiian Re- veries; G. Don't sing "Aloha"

whun

8.25 Choruses. Tom Costello in Song Memories (Scott and Me-

Song Costello in Memories (McGlennon and Gilbert) Tom Costello and Chorus with Orchestra.

Those that have ears, let them-beware! For Scot- Glenun); Tom land Yard is coming into line with Continental police forces and laying stress on the cars of criminals and potential criminals.

Davis arrived in Hongkong on May

Sir Henry! 7. 1844 as successor fu Pottinger. His services in China, however, went back to a much earlier date, having commence in 1813 with

and

con- the East India Company tinued with that institution until the annulment of its charler in 1834. In that year he was appointed Secre- tory Superintendent of Trade to Lord Napier and when that worthy died he

his

of Chief post succeeded to Superintendent,

After a short time in that pusition he resigned and returned to England where he was asked by His Majesty's Government to assure the governor ship of HongkongWith-this-pos veritable miley-of deathThe taking of accurate-measurements f

in Tuet. Thei of Plenipotentiary marshes which abounded there bred went the offices and Superintendent of British Trade malaria-carrying mosquitoes and the cars: "earprints."

(measurement from the

anthropometric fluvia arising and head of the Consular Service in | ****

miasmal

as the regarded the mankind) methodi is gaining ad- paddy-flelds was

"Bangkong herents in Britain. cause of the dreaded

for fever" which was responsible most of the deaths in the first decade of our Colony's history, so that this island which is now generally con-1

Detectives are being taught to take particular note of the cars of known and suspected wrong-doers. They 4|~|~||~|-~|-·|-~|~|~|~|~|-------| are the one feature that cannot be disguised.

You cannot "build up" an ear with paste nor change chong in 1045. it may seem strange

China.

to readers at the present day that its expression with paint. Happy Valley was at that time des- celbed by contemporary writers as a

Continental practice involves

,

THE POINTED TYPE

8.35 New Variety Programme.. Vocal-Rex Cavalcade of 1937...

Gracie Fields & Sandy Powell; Plano Solo Charlie Kunz Piano Medley. No. D. D; You needn't have kept it a Secret: You're Here, You're there': on the Moon'; 'So Itare'; 'Stardust

Charlie Kunz; That old feeling... Vocal-Ever So Quiet; At the Battle of Waterloo. Robble Comber, with Orchestral Accompaniment; Foxtrot the his cars set high is likely to be anHorsey, Hursey; Novelty,

artist, a dreamr, a philosopher." Psychologists regard

During the four years of his ad- ministration Sir John chiefly occupied himself with the Inudable task of conciliating the Chinese, although some of the legislation proposed by ered us one of the most salubrious rignificance. There was a school of

At one time cars had a yet greater

Waltz- Maybelle, Maybelle Billy Col- ton"&-His-Band:

an

phrenology

9,00 Studlo Sixth of a Series of ef with ustavour and Lambroso as dis-

Experts "Golf"-by Amateur "You cannot bank on credited, murderer having any particular type Enthusiast.

Programme. Variety 9.15 New at the of ear," said one authority National Institute of Industrial Psy- cont.

Veletu: Lily of Orchestral-The chology recently.

Laguna, Waiting at the Church, Darn

His and LOMBROSO'S OMISSION

Merrin Dances....Billy "Even Lombroso never identified Commanders; Orchestral-The Best Little Prairie Cotton and Flower....Billy one particular type of ear with one of Friends: I'm a particular type of crime. He did entalogue on enormous number of so- Band (With Vocal Chorus); Vocal- called criminal types, but he omitted's Party Time Again....George Vars

Diren. to check his results by observing an

of normal 9.30 London Relay-The Newn. equally large number

9.50 Brahms-Concerto types. The net result was that halt

n is

bim was singularly unfortunate, and, moreover, destined from the begin-places in the Far East was then re- semi-scientific thought, headed by ning to arouse the sensibilities of the ferred to as that "Tetid broiling bog Lombroso. the Italian criminologist,

Hongkong."

which held that a criminal could be settlers.

recognised Sir John was also the first Gover known, and even One of these examples of mis- Judging the public mind was the ill-nor of Hongkong to take any interest criminal, by certain features.

A lobeless ear, said Lombrose, or In religion and education, he himself

the con- fated Ordinance. designed for

a painted car-like of restricting the

being a very pious individual. On

ventionalised cars of Mephistophe- purpose discriminate flow of adventurers into June 20, 1844 he issued a notification

observation of les in pletures-were among the 21, 1844 the ordering the strict the Colony. Оп

day of rest and vil

stigmata of criminal degeneracy. public Bill Sunday as Legislative Council passed

this

Phrenologists to-day believe that providing for the registration of all contracts henceforth. Included inhabitants of

Hongkong, without stipulation. It was due largely to his

Lion, representations that the Home Gov-an ear set low on the head indicates

Augused

the In-

are

casu at the

tole mark.

in

D

his stigmata were not common only Major, Op 77-Kreisler, violin, and

10.27 Brahms Bongs. among criminals-lack of symmetry, the London Philharmonic Orchestra. for example-but were usual in ali

Ever Softer Grows my Slumber; mankirti."

Schumann-- Lullaby....Elisabeth But there is one thing about ears. Soprano; (a) Ein Sonnett: (b) Sonn- Kipnis-Bass; diagnostic and g....Alexander istinction of nationality or position.ernment gove its unwilling consent forceful, and even a violent, type of A Bnger with its Whilst the purpose of this Ordinance

10.37 Millary Band Selection. of certain American was to prevent the influx into the to the early erection of the Colonial person; but only when an ear is set Irrefutable print can be sand-papered, Gerald Moore Pianoforte.

"Semiramide"Overture (Rossini) and straight rather than curved

Crealore's Band; Woodland Ple- Colony of undesirable aliens and Church, building operations on which low on a head flat and norrow on top or skin can be (actually has been in

were begun in October, 1843. lawless elements, it

the back is there any ground for be- gangsters) grafted on with a different wns regarded

dan-graining so as to disguise the tell-tures-Rural Suite (P.E. Fletcher} The church was comploted in lieving that "such men will dismay and consternation on the part of British residents, who rose October, 1846 and where its founda- gerous."

wns Inici St. John's

Gloves are a common place among up in wrathful indignation "feeling lion stone

But a man eyen amateur criminais. their Cathedral naw stands. Under his their

would be strictly personal self-respect,

were "If a man has his car set low, but with ear-muffs

said noticeable. And there is no escaping national honour and their individual fostering care many schools

being

Bertllion trampled underfoot established and the name of at least the top of his head is wide," liberly

measurements, And to dis- one of these remains to the present white-haired Mrs. Stackpool O'Dell, the even

Ludgate the only way yet discovered more ruthlessly than in days of the Co-Hong bondage in day-St. Paul's Collere. For the the phrenologist, in her Canton." Consequently, the British especial benefit of the Chinese popu- Cireus offlee recently, "he will be a guise an ear is to get it turned into Kooda "cauliflower." And that is very residents assembled in first lation, which had at this time nine fighter-but a fighter for

schooln at work, the cause. public meeting ever held in Hong-Confucian kong on October 28, 1844, and ap- Governor devised, early in 1847, pointed a

a committee to memorinilse various grant-in-aid schemes. the Governor.

the

the

FIGHTERS

It

painful.

set

"It is the man with his ears low and a flat back to his head that

At the close of the year 1840 the will exert his force only in his own

phrenological

MALAYA DRINKS. MORE IN FLUSH

OF PROSPERITY

Singapore, Jan. 1. In British Malaya prosperity is com-causing the whole country to drink bative, fighting type; the man will more.

Consumption of wines, beers and community serious occurred, and the end of the send-off from any place of which he spirits ty increasing at a record rate. Brilleh Mainya, the world's leading Moreover, the Chinese

proitucer of tin and rubber, made active preparations to leave it year already saw the beginning of had been administrator.

The Chinese Inhabitants, too, (roit

Governor's troubles were nugmented interest. But every alarm at the Ordinance and on by dissension among officers and civil indication must be assessed in unity October. 30 the first strike occurred employees of the garrison. Dis-with other controlling and governing in Hongkong. Every Chinese shop cipline, both military and naval, be- indication. No one feature can tell was closed, stall-holders in the

came slack and court-martials were its message alone.

arasc frequent. Differences

even refused to open, cargo and markets

"As a general fact, however, you between Major-General D'Aguller

can take it that a man with his cars passenger boats furled their sails and their crews remained oldurate and the officers constituting the

set low will be a forceful, persuasion to engage ff their usual court. activities, coolies and domestic ser vants followed the general example,

Animosities thus aroused happily and all business was at a standstill. died away before anything really

the Government did repeal the Ordinance. stated they were ready

10

not immediately. the healing of the breach, so that "As he stepped into the boat the enjoying a tremendous prosperity Residents when General D'Agullar left he was officers raised a falut cheer but few owing to the improved world demand

farewelled with "grent regret. the

of the Inhabitants were present in for these commodities and the higher The public niso took the oppor- tunity to present a laudatory addresswell the sound, and those who were prices they are bringing on the lead- attracted there by curloalty to toeling markets, Maloyan trade has in- to the senior naval officer, Captain the Governor embark did not joincreased by nearly $180,000,000 during

As the the past six months. a true but un- In the official demonstration. MacQubas, and it is

very next day if necessary. Euro- peana, seeing the disastrous state of public affairs. summoned another meeting and, on November 2, the Governor was memorialised a second time. In fact, Uie

pleasant fact that the demonstra-steamer passed down the harbour a As a result there has been a cor- British com- flous of popular affection to the de salute of seventeen guna was fred

parting services lenders were

en by H.M.S. Melampus. Thus depart-responding increase in thought of the ed the man who had made things go trade. Whisky Imports have gone up hanced by the

munity even proposed to petition the Home Government, stating that the colonists had lost faith in the local administration, but ultimately more moderate counsel prevailed and feeling subsided.

tho liquor

per

difference with which the Governor's uncomfortable for most people dur 28.8 per cent, brandy (foreign) 53.0 departure would be treated by the ing his governorship of the Colong." per cent, brandy (Empire) 40

cent, sparkling wines 78.5 per cent, community,

And. Indeed, when the time came

The contemporary Press blamed still wines 34.3 per cent, beor 40 per The Legistative Couneli on Novem for Sir John Davis to depart for him and sald concerning Hongkong: cent, stout 37 per cent,

"What might have been a happy and Empire brandy is now gaining ber 13, 1844 passed an amended Re- Home (March 30, 1848) few men can nourishing. Colony was a Hell upon ground and represents almost two- thirds of the total ef brandy_imports. gistration Ordinance, "applying have been given better registration only to the lower classes, I remember with unhappy feelings his earth."

renson..to

....The B.B.C. Wireless Miltary Band: Royal Cavalcade (Kelelbey); Coronation Bells-March (Patridge) ...The Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards.

11,00 Close down.

On

GOLD UNDER PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia. Philadelphians walk around $10,000,000 in unclaimed gold, but it doesn't bother them very much. The cost of procuring it from the 15-foot vein of clay in which 11 lies would far exceed the value of the metal.

Such a clean

refreshing flavour...

Odol

MOUTH WASH

K Shoes are bullt for the man with an eye for good looks, and an appreciation of comfort and good value,

-Some shoes are made to cost lcss --- K's are made to give you

more.

Their small difference in cost brings you a big difference in economy.

It pays to pay what K's cost when each extra ounce in cost brings you an extra pound in value.

Wear K Shoes.

K

-Black, Tan and Patent leather in half sizes and three "Plus" nt- tings

from $25.50 kys 10% cash discount

MACKINTOSH'S LTD.

K SHOE AGENTS

Get

Every

Continent

A.C. ALL-WAVE

SUPER 6

SOME OF ITS SPECIAL FEATURES

on

GE.C

RADIO

Open an atlas.

over,

Turn the pages That's how easy it is to skip from continent to continent in search of radio entertainment when you own a G.E.C. set! And The vast re- that's not all. for Preselector II.F. stage consistent lang-distance enter- tainment Chromoscople dial

sources and great experience of Tuneray for ease of control indicator for precise tuning

G.E.C. engineers have brought Rotavernier micro-tuning and automatic two-speed tuning

within the reach of every listener for accurate station location. Three wavebands including short waves. Anti-fading

new standards of fine reproduc- Automatic

Control Volume Quiel background circult

tion, wonderful case of control line power reception with noise

Powerful shield

It pays and lasting reliability. dynamic speaker and balanc- cd quality control for perfect reproduction.

Connections

•

for gramophone pick-up and extension speaker. Made in England,

The A.C. All-wave Super G shown here is but one of the

big range of G.E.C. models,,

$230

Complete with 'OYRAM valves,

THE

to have a set designed and made

by the largest British manufac- turers of everything electrical in the Empire!

GENERAL

OF

CHINA

ELECTRIC LTD.

CO.

Representing THE GENERAL ELEĆTRIC COMPANY LTD, OF ENGLAND, 2, Queen's Buliding, Hong Kong.

LTD. -Chater Road,

Sold also by S. MOUTRIE & CO., York Building

COUNT THE "TELEGRAPHS"

EVERYWHERE.