1938-05-18 — Page 18

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1988.

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Personalities of Old Hongkong

SIR HENRY

He Was A Brilliant Administrator Says History

By T. Paul Gregory

A name that is familiar to all the older residents of the Colony is that of Sir Francis Henry May. His long career of over thirty years in Hongkong was remarkable inasmuch as he rose from a Cadet in the Civil Service to be Governor-a series of promotions unprecedented in UNIVERSAL JOINT LUBRICANT the annals of Imperial methods-and, moreover, they at-

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test the great value placed upon his ability by his superiors in the Colonial Office.

Hongkong Hotel March 14, 1860. He was the for years was brought to

Stubbs Rd.

Garage

SHOWROOM

Phone 27778/9.

The

Hongkong Telegraph.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1030.

HONGKONG DECLARES WAR ON DISEASE

mater-

MAY

SIR HENRY MAY

Sir Francis Henry May was a monstrous case of defalcation been going on born in Dublin, Ireland on which had

light. A certain Portuguese fourth son of the Rt. Hon. clerk had been embezzling George Augustus Chichester funds wholesale, and upon May May, P.C., Lord Chief Justice of asking for the accounts of the Ireland, and was educated at Crown rents for

the

years Harrow and Trinity College, previous to his appointment, he was mortifled to learn The young man early proved

that they were two or three himself to be a profound student years behind. To make a long and graduated B.A. at the age story short, the embezzler wae of twenty, taking first class sentenced to six years imprison- honours, and he was incidentally, ment, whilst the known dofnica- 100, a prizeman in classics and tions resulting from his mani- modern languages at his alma pulating of the accounts were said to run to more than $63,000. In fact, they were With his brilliant scholastic probably much more than this amount; for the accounts for record behind him, the youth the years 1888 and 1889 were from November 1903 to October the attempt at his assassination, determined upon a career in the coolly destroyed by

Was the clerk 1910. It

also whilst In fact, as the local press put it Civil Service. He passed with when he learned to his chagrin serving as Colonial Secretary "no event chronicled in the his- regime of Sir tory of the Colony created Hongkong is marching against ease the competitive examina- that his game of muleting the during the disease. Recognising the threat tion and was appointed a Cadet Hongkong public was exposed.. Frederick Lugard that he was greater momentary excitement." Through his efforts in run- nominated for the Governorship Having been the recipient of a of epidemic here this summer, in the Colonial Service of Hong ning down the leak in the of the Fiji Islands in succession rousing welcome at Blake Pier, greater than in ordinary times kong, arriving here in 1881. Colonial Treasury department, to Sir Everard im Thurn. He he was proceeding in his sedan- because of the presence of thou-The first years of his Cadetship Mr. May increased his prestige left Hongkong on January 21, chair, accompanied by Lady sands of refugees and the con- were devoted largely to the more than ever,

and in May 1911, to take up this post amidst May, his family and staff, when stant influx of these people from mastery of the Cantonese langu- 1895 he was made a member of the most fervent expression of near the Post Office a Chinese dress dashed the war zone of China, the age, which rendered him an Legislative Council. Notwith- regret and the sincerest wishes in European Director of Medical Services, Dr.authority upon the subject, and standing his multifarious duties, of those amongst whom he had through the lines of the Guard ho found time to serve as Cap. laboured so long for their future of Honour and rushing up to

three feet of Selwyn-Clarke, has struck the he secured thereby & fund tain Superintendent of Police, welfare. Scarcely had a year within first blow. It is by way of of knowledge which was Superintendent_of the Fire passed when the surprising an Governor, fired a revolver at appeal to the public to safeguard to prove him in good stead Brigade and. Governor of Vic- nouncement was made that Sir him. The bullet missed Sir itself against cholera that the in his later carcer in the toria Gaol, in each of which Henry was again to return to the Henry's head by about a foot D.M.S. has opened his campaign. Colony. His rise in the service capacities he revealed himself Colony this time as Governor and lodged in the bamboo frame- In his communique published was rapid, and at the age of as a man of unusual capabilities, and Commander-in-Chief. The work of Lady May's chair. One

It was whilst serving

as appointment occasioned no little can imagine the excitement yesterday he makes the position twenty-five, be became Acting- Captain Superintendent' of surprise throughout the service that prevailed. An Indian con- clear. Briefly, his appeal may Assistant Registrar General. Police that he distinguish- and was of course hailed with stable ran forward and with the be summarised as follows: Get A year later, in 1886, he served ed himself by his fear much gratification in Hongkong. utmost courage and commenda- inoculated; keep clean; guard as Assistant Registrar General, less handling of the coolle riots In fact, as the South China Morn ble promptitude flung himself food and water, eating utensils whilst in 1889 he was made arising out of the fear of the ing Post of July 4, 1912 stated: upon the would-be assassin and outbreak of bubonic plague, "Sir Henry returns to Hongkong bore him to the ground. He and clothing against infection; Secretary to the Board of which made Hongkong a rather at a time when a first hand was just in time; for the revol- name in the news knowledge of local affairs is of ver was fully loaded and the man Chater Road. report any case of suspected Examiners. In January 1890, dreaded

cholera to the medical authori-he

nominated Colonial of the year 1894. It was just supreme importance. The rail- was determined to carry out his enterprise, prospective deed. When later charged at ties immediately.

Secretary, and at the same time this demonstration of his effec- way This is an early start; but not also acted in the capacity of tive handling of the situation developments in the New Ter- the Police Station he made too early. It is not necessary private secretary to the three which brought May to the front ritories, the University of Hong- remark that he was sorry that remind Hongkong people highest officials in the Colony at as an administrator of excellent kong, the oplum question, the he had missed his aim. The mo- the then parts, and he was rewarded by relations with the new Govern- tive for the attack was at the mo- that cholera took over 1,000 that time, namely,

William Des the Home Government by being ment at Canton and a host of ment difficult to ascertain; but

created lives last year; that smallpox Governor, Sir

a Commander of the other pressing considerations Reuters in their cabled news at has claimed, and is claiming. Voeux, the Administrator Sir F. Order of St. Michael and St. demand at the head of affairs the time succinctly stated that one who possesses an intimate it was "due to detestation of the acquaintance with the adminis- English." Later events, how- even more in 1938. Meningitis has made its appearance here,

Appointed Governor

tration and in this respect Sir over, proved that the man was but his dastardly too; and in South China cholera

In 1900, Sir Henry was again Henry May has perhaps no insane;

attempt had behind it a pseudo- is already prevalent. And final-

named to fill the post of Acting equal.”

His Secretary, and two ly, as has been pointed out be-

Colonial

the patriotic background. In fact, years later was selected to serve Governorship of the Colony on it was alleged by the ignorant fore, wherever there is war

in the Colony who as Colonial Secretary. He ad- July 4, 1912 was marred by an masses there is typhus. All of these

ministered the Government of occurrence which all old resi- were at a loss to understand how things, as well as the ordinary

the Colony at various periods, dents will vividly recall, namely, the man who had spent more

Ask for a complete list.

S. Moutrie & Co., Ltd.

York Building.

Music

to

Was

George, in the following year. hath charms

Sunday Classical Concert,

at Repulse Bay Hotel Under leadership of

Geg. Plo-Viski

Programmo for Sunday, May 22, 1938.

1 p.m.-2.30 p.m. PROGRAMME

1. Light Cavalry. Ouverture ..........................Suppo

2. Spanish Serenade

.Herbert

3. Marlene. Waltz

.Kalmon

4. Die Fledermaus. Selection

.Strauss

5. Entracto

..Dizet.

6. Ssumka

.Prisowski

.Delibes

T... Csardas

For Reservations

please

'phone 27775

REPULSE

BAY

HOTEL

Fleming and to the G.O.C., Lieutenant General Sir G. Digby Barker, G.C.B. It was whilst serving the latter that he met his future wife-Helena Augusta Victorin-the eldest daughter of the G.O.C.

-

Not A Bed Of Roses His steady series of promo- run of ailments, Hongkong must tions did not always prove to be guard against this summer. a bed of roses, as for instance The fact is that by taking pre- in 1892, when he was serving GRIN cautions against one, the public as

the Colonial Treasurer, he

is protected to some extent was involved in blame when against the others. Hence the importance of the search for frequently makes its appearance cleanliness; for germs thrive in and does most terrible destruc- dirt.

tion. It is the responsibility of Through the English-written this Colony to protect these un- press and the vernacular papers fortunates; and, incidentally, by the Director of Medical Services this service it will protect it- has reached many thousands of self.

renders with his declaration of Is it too much to expect that war. But, in view of the serious, for the very poor, the beggar: ness of the situation, the hope who gets his meals out of the must be expressed that the refuse can, and hungry children, campaign against diseases will there should be some provision: not be allowed to stop there. made whereby a free daily The appeals must be repeated. ration can be issued? This is a Newspapers will play their part, wealthy Colony. It seems that it is certain; but an even wider such a suggestion as this- re system of advertising should quires only the momentum of be attempted. The people who original leadership to become a do not read the papers are those reality. How much safer would)

be from it is most necessary to reach. Hongkong people The averago foreign render epidemic if the street-sleeper knows enough to protect him- and the beggar and the shiftless | self; the average Chinese reader n'er-do-well were out of the way is beginning to realise the ad-in clean camps, growing a little vantages of inoculation; but the food for themselves guarded poor people, the very ignorant, and rationed by the Government

among them that disease most tion!

THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD. are at a disadvantage, and it is and some charitable organisa-

AND BEAR IT

arrival to assume

the

than thirty years in the Colony should be chosen to act as Governor-that his appointment

By Lichty meant that he was going to

3-D Đen, 1975 by tudod Brutura krukiona, tre

F

"Joe likes to broisset"

IN BANANEG

( seize (sic) a slice of Chinese ter-

ritory." Consequently, assas- sination was thought to be the only successful deterrent.

Seven Years In Office

Sir Henry May was in office until 1919, and during this term

B

จ

On

of years he provod over again his eminent abilities as colonial administrator. In short, he ranks as one of the Colony's most conscientious Governors, and by his death at Clare Priory, Suffolk, England February 16, 1922, Hongkong lost one of its most capable. public servants who had given so many years of devoted ser vice in promotion of its welfare. The most fitting tribute to his great work was delivered in the Legislative Council upon receipt. of the news regarding his pass ing. The then Governor, Sír Edward Stubbs sald in part:

"Sir Henry's career covered a great period of the Colony's de- velopment in all directions, and in that dovolopment Sir Henry May played a great part, His life was bound up in the Colony and its development would stand as a permanent memorial to him.".