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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[May 19, 1902. me, that I have had such a very happy so much, sir, I think it would be unjust, Well, sir, I can only say that considering the
mny advantages I had I have done very little. time since. I have been in Hongkong, and I ungenerous and unkind if I wre to take the praise of all the success that has followed"No, uo.") Well, be that as it may, I think have met with sa.h kindness, such courtesy, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank to myself. that is my opinion. However, what I did do and such consideration, that I should be indeed, It has not been the case, sir. I have was cheerfully done. (Hear, hear.) I would also ungrateful if I did not endeavour to repay that been associated in management with very like to say that in all the philanthropic. in all kindness to the atmo t of my ability. Believe me, gentlemen, that I feel a very high honour eminent men who have borne their full | the public movements, that were set on foot and
call to mind a in which I had a considerable hand, acting as in endeavouring to serve you, and I only wish share of the burden.
that my ability to serve you was equal to my drawing in Punck some years ago. where an | beggar-in-chief, the Chinese community res
Sufficient for myself. Trish labourer with a hod of bricks on his poudei nobly to every call that was made upon desire. (Applause.) shoulder was asked by a chum, "What them. (Applause.) In reviewing my long Now, goutlemen, as se ior representative of the sort of a job have you got, Pat?" The latter career, which you, sir have so nicely alluded to, guests asзamb el here to-night, I feel a perfect replied, “Faith, a very good one; I get 3/- a I would wish to say that I could sum up the confidence that I voice the entire opinion of
these
guests when I
say what day, and that chap up there (pointing to a brick-whole 26 years of the management in Hongkong all
with one word, and that word is "Thankful- great pride and privilege and pleasure it was to layer some 40 feet up) does all the work."
Speaking again of the Chinese com- us to be asked to take part on the occasion of (Laughter.) Well, sir, one would have thoughtness. that poor Pat als was doing his share of the munity, with whom the Bank has had more to paying honour to Sir Thomas Jackson. (Ap- work, and if there had been only one bricklayer do than with any other, Ido not wish to make plause) Sir Thomas Jackson has been a very it would have taken a precious long time to erect use of the old hackneyed expression, however kind friend to me during my stay in Hongkong, He has done me many acts of personal kindness, the stately edifice we are in the habit of admir- right and proper, which took its rise in the ing next door. It is not the work of one. It days of the East India Conpany in China, that but I think it would be almost an impertinence a Chinese merchant's word is as good as his of me, when my acquaintance with Bir is the work of many. Therefore honours must be divided. You have alluded, sir, to the bond"; but following the example of Lord Thomas Jackson is so slight compared with progress of the Hong kong and Shanghai Rosebery I will find a new expression. I main- that of nearly everybody here assembled to- night, if I were to descant farther on his merits. Bank. To the particulars you havẹ given ab mttain that a Chinaman's word is better than
(Applause.) A good many of Therefore it will suffice for me to say that we the the rise of the Bank, may be permitted to add his bond.
our clients do not know much about law assembled guests here to-night were very grate- a few details. In the early sixties there was a good deal of speculation and company and they may even think there is a bit ful indeed for the opportunity of taking part on the occasion of paying honour to a man promoting going on in Bombay, and I think of a trick about overy, scrap of document
whose name will long be remembered in Hong- I am right in saying that a prospectus with a stamp upon it; but the good old words
kong (applaus") whose private character was actually issued of a proposed Bank of China. "putter book" constitute not only an equitable The subsequent serious crisis in Bombay, agreement but a debt of honour, which only and the position he has built up for himself and culminating in the failure of the Bach Bay stern necessity would prevent from being for the Bank'of which he has been Chief Ma- Reclamation Scheme, put an end to all new thoroughly carried out. (Applause.) Mr. Chair-nager will long be remembered not only in Hongkong but throughout the whole of Chins. ventures. A number of influential men here man, I shall conclude my remarks by wishing about the same time formed the idea of starting the Chinese community of Hongkong the (Applause.) a local Bank, prompted no doubt by the Bombay merchants, bankers, and everybody connected prospectus. After much delay a prospectus with it, all prosperity. If we had to adopt a appeared of the Hongkong and Shanghi new motto for Hongkong in addition to what is Banking Co. Ld. They foresaw the advantages given to us by the Royal Arms, I would say, to the Colony of having strong local bank. "Go ahead, Hongkong." (Applause.) They had many and excellent reasons for its formation which I need not allude to at this distance of time. The prime movers were Mr. Thos. Sutherland, director on the P. & O. and Mr. E. H. Pollard, K.C., both of whom I am glad to say are very much to the fore, and are now occupying prominent positions in London. Sir, they were far-seeing men, and their names deserve to be held in grateful remembrance not only by the present, but by all future generations of Hongkongites. The Bank had various vicissitudes. For some time after the Bank was started-it was then called the Hongkong and Shang- hai Bank Co., Ld.--it fell upon evil days. It had to face all the infantile troubles that at tend youth. But I think I must admit that it was rather a wayward youth and that it got into more trouble than ordinary children would have got into. That may be as it may, but suffice it to say that it survived those in- fantile complaints and got into vigorous youth, and now, sir; wee see it in the prime of man- hood. (Applause.) At that time it was very much doubted by a good many people here that there
was not
field Hongkong for
a local
bank; that in fact there was no room for it, and many were the shakings of heads attending the birth of this infant. However, sir, there was ever a sufficient number of people here who then appreciated the benefits that would ultimately arise from a local bank which would hare its funds available for local purposes instead of being compelled to withdraw them every time the funds were want d elsewhere. We had to look about then for a field for the operations of the Bank, Fortunately many people rallied to our Bank and many accounts were opened. I wish to take this opportunily of saying, sir, that among those who rallied round the Bank, th› Chinese bankers and Chinese merchan's of Hongkong were conspicuous. (Applause.) They had no reason to regret the decision they then came to. because I think I am not saying too much when I assert the fact that many a crisis, many a little storm and inconvenience has been stayed by the strong resources of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. (Applause.) If there are any Naval guests here to-night, I might compare the
to
of "the battle-fleet Bank
financa." (Applause) You said, sir, that the Bank had fulfilled it's mission. That it certainly has, and that it very nobly has. (Applause.) referring to myself, you were good enough to allude to the little services I have been able to - perform in the Colony in a public sort of way.
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Mr. FUNG WA CHUN said-Mr. Ho Tang, Your Excellency and gentlemen, The most agreeablo task of proposing the health of our guests has been assigned me, and I under- take it with the greatest pleasure though We feel highly not without diffidence. honoured by the presence of so many dis tinguished guests, and we are deeply indebted to them for their kind support and assistance in endeavour to entertain in a befitting our
our much respected friend, Sir manner Thomas Jackson (applause) whose pending be universally regretted departure will by all sections of the community. It is not often that we are afforded the privilege and pleasure of entertaining such a goodly company of visitors, and I hope we may be permitted on many future occasions to bave the same privi- lege and pleasure. I wish to couple 'with this toast the name of our Acting Governor, His Excellency Major-General Gascoigne, who has so kindly honoured us with his distinguished evening. (Applause.) . His company this
He has been Excellency is no stranger to us. with us several years, and is well liked and highly His distinguished military respected by us. services in the Orient hare gained him the entire approbation of his King and country, and his public services to this Colony have won him the admiration and esteem of the whole community. To all, his constant courtesy and urbanity, his unvarying kindness and sympathy are well known. All who have had the good fortune of serving under him or coming into contact with him are pleased to acknowledge that as a Commanding Officer or as a friend, (Applause.) His they can wish for no better. Excellency's presence among us to-night shows that notwithstanding the exalt position he occupies, he is eminently sociable and kindly; and we arexceedingly obliged to him for the pleasure as well as honour he has conferred upon us by his presence. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I will now ask you to join me in drinking the Our Guests, coupled with the health of name of H.E. Sir William Gascoigne. The toast was cordially honoured.
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Mr. LEUNG SHIU KONG, in proposing the toast of "The Prosperity of Hongkong," said :— Your Excellency, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen. The third toast of this evening has fallen upon me. Why I have been selected to perform this delicate duty I could not say unless it was with the idea of testing my abilities as a public speaker. Now, gentlemen, as I have never yet spoken in public, and this, I can assure you, is my maiden speech, I must there- fore crave your indulgence for any slips may make. I shall now proceed to the point. I have been asked to propose this toast for the prosperity of the Colony. Well, with our water famine at present, I hardly know how to proceed.
The Colony (Laughter and applause.) certainly not prospering in that direction. (Laughter.) It is perhaps our local trade to which I am to refer. I am handicapped evən there. For is the exchange not dropping fast and are we not gloomily looking forward to n (Laughter.) I blame eighteen-penny dollar P (1 all this on our departing guest. (Laughter and applause.) He has taken away our "good It is a carions coincidence, joss" from us. nevertheless it is a fact, for was it not during the temporary absence of our much loved tir Thomas that the Colony went through the crisis of commercial depress ion and he had to be summoned back to his post to drive the evil spirits from us? (Laughter and applause.) But no one can be expected to serve us for ever, and we are now to have as the representative of the oldest bank in the Colony the Honourable Thomas Whitehead, who will worthily fill his place. (Applause.) Mr. Whitehead, gentlemen, has the confidence of all classes of the com- munity (applause.) and we trust the good joss that always favoured Sir Thomas will far- our the future Sir Thomas (applause) and make him Sir Thomas Whitehead, whose health I beg to couple with this toast,
The toast was pledged with enthusiasm. Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD said-Mr, Chair-- man, your Excellency and gentlemen, Tho in- stitution it has been my endeavour since 1883 to represent is the oldest established Bank in the Colony, having started here some four and forty years ago. No doubt owing to this fact my name has been associated with the loast so ably proposed by our enlightened fellow citizen, Mr. Leung Shiu Kong, whose worthy and respected HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-General GAS-father was a pioneer and a sturdy pillar of pro- COIGNE, in acknowledging the toast, said—Mr. | gress in Hongkong's early days. The late Chairman and gentlmen It is my high honour Leung On was a generous supporter of every to rise as the senior representative of the guests work having in view the well-being of his fellow men and his name will long ba held in high assembled here to night. First of all, let me thank the proposer of the toast for the kind esteem. (Applause.) When commerce and local manner in which he has coupled my name with industries flourish, the Banks not unnaturally that toast; and I beg to thank you all, gentle-share in the general prosperity. Through the men, with my whole heart for the kind manner wise, exceptionally able and generous manage- 'in which you accepted that coupling, Believe ment of the principal guest of this evening,
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