1938-05-18 — Page 6

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAYS MAY 18, 1988.

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Personalities of Old Hongkong

SIR

HENRY MAY

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 the annals of Imperial methods-and, moreover, they at- 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

Stubbs Rd.

Garage

SHOWROOM

Phone 27778/9.

The

Hongkong Telegraph.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1938,

Sir Francis Henry May was a monstrous case of defalcation born in Dublin, Ireland on which had been going on WRA brought to 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 the years Ireland, and was educated at Crown rents for Harrow and Trinity College. previous to his appointment, he Was mortified 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 was of twenty, taking first class sentenced to six years imprison- honours, and he was incidentally, ment, whilst the known defalca- too, a prizeman in classics and tions resulting from his mani- modern languages at his alma Pulating of the accounts were

said to

more than $63,000. In fact, they were

mater.

which

Д

run

to

the

SIR HENRY MAY

HONGKONG

With his brilliant scholastic probably much more than this amount; for the accounts for DECLARES WAR record behind him, the youth the years 1888 and 1889 were from November 1903 to October the attempt at his assassination. way also whilst In fact, as the local press put it determined upon a career in the coolly destroyed by the clerk 1910. It ON DISEASE

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 mulcting 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 Thura. 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 European dress dashed 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

Council. Notwith- regret and the sincerest wishes in. the war zone of China, the age, which rendered him an Legislative

fect of the 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 he found time to serve as Cap laboured so long for their future of Honour and rushing up to Selwyn-Clarke, has struck the he secured thereby fund tain Superintendent of Police, welfare. Scarcely had a year within three was Superintendent of first blow. It is by way of of... knowledge

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 career in the toria Gaol, in each of which Henry was again to return to the Henry's head by about a foot itself against cholera that the in his later 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- It was whilst serving as appointment occasioned no little can imagine the excitement In his communique published was rapid, and at the age of 3 a man of unusual capabilities, and Commander-in-Chief. The work of Lady May's chair. One Superintendent of surprise throughout the service that prevailed. An Indian con- yesterday he makes the position twenty-five, he became Acting Captain

that ho Registrar General. Police

distinguish and was of course hailed with stable ran forward and with the clear. Briefly, his appeal may Assistant

himself by his fear- much gratification in Hongkong. utmost courage and commenda- be summarised as follows: Get A year later, in 1886, he served ed inoculated; keep clean; guard as Assistant Registrar General, less handling of the coolie riots In fact, as the South China Morn- ble promptitude flung himself him to the ground. He 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 the and clothing against infection; Secretary to 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 was nominated Colonial of the year 1894. It was just supreme importance. The rail- was determined to carry out his prospective decd. When later charged at enterprise,. 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 to romind Hongkong people highest officials in the Colony at as an administrator of excellent kong, the opfum question, the he had missed his aim. The mo- that cholera took over 1,000 that time, namely, the then parts, and he was rewarded by relations with the new Govern- tive for the attack was at the mo Des the Home Government by being ment. at Canton and a host of ment difficult to ascertain; but William

created a Commander of the other pressing considerations Reuters in their cabled news at lives last year; that smallpox Governor, Sir

St. demand at the head of affairs the time succinctly stated that Order of St. Michael and Voeux, the Administrator Sir F. has claimed, and is claiming, Fleming and to the G.O., George, in the following year.

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 Lieutenant General Sir G. Digby It was whilst

Appointed Governor tration and in this respect Sir ever, proved that the man was but his dastardly has made its appearance here, Barker, G.C.B.

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

attempt had behind it a pseudo- too; and in South China cholera serving the latter that he met is already prevalent. And final-his future wife-Helena Augusta named to fill the post of Acting equal."

Secretary, and two His arrival to assuine the patriotic background. In fact, ly, as has been pointed out be- Victoria--the eldest daughter of Colonial

Colony-who years later was selected to serve Governorship of the Colony on it was alleged by the ignorant the G.O.C. fore, wherever there is war

as Colonial Secretary. He ad- July 4, 1912 was marred by an masses in the ministered the Government of occurrence which all old resi- were at a loss to understand how there is typhus. All of these things, as well as the ordinary His steady series of promo- the Colony at various periods, dents will vividly recall, namely, the man who had spent more 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 AND BEAR IT

the Colonial Treasurer, he cautions against one, the public as

extent was involved in blame when

S. Moutrie & Co., Ltd.

York Building.

Music hath charms Sunday Classical Concert,

at Repulse Bay Hotel

'Under leadership of

Ceo. Pio-Ulski

Programme for Sunday, May 22, 1938.

1 p.m.

2.30 p.m.

PROGRAMME

1. Light Cavalry. Ouverturò

2. Spanish Serenado

Suppo .Herbert

3.

Marlene. Waltz

.Kalman

Die Fledermaus. Selection

Strauss

Б.

Entr' acte

.Bizet.

6. Bzumka

..Prisowalk!

2. Csardas

.Delibes

:

Not A Bed Of Roses

is protected to gome against the others. Hence the importance of the search for frequently makes its appearance cleanliness; for germs thrive in and does most terrible destruc- tion. It is the responsibility of dirt,

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

Is it too much to expect that readers with his declaration of 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 free daily not be allowed to stop there. made whereby 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 people be from it is most necessary to reach. Hongkong The average foreign reader epldonile if the street-sleeper knows enough to protect him- and the beggar and the shiftless self; the average Chinese render 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 THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD. are at a disadvantage, and it is and some charitable organten-

conce among them that discuse most tion!

For Reservations

please

*phone 27775

REPULSE

BAY

HOTEL

Copr. 1995 by Venue Fochre Prattense, kan

"Joe likes to browse!"

a

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

By Lichty meant that he was going to

scize (sic) a slice of Chinese ter ritory." Consequently, assns- sination was thought to be the only successful deterrent.

Seven Years In Office

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

of years he proved over again

as abilities his eminent

10

on

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, 'Sir Edward Stubbs said in part:

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