310
SIR HENRY BERKELEY.
RETIREMENT OF A POPULAR GOVERNMENT
OFFICIAL.
On Oct. 31st Sir Henry Berkeley, K.C., retired from his position 88 Attorney-General of Hongkong. This bowever does not mean that he leaves the Colony. He simply retires into private life and enters directly into the practice of his profession, so that although he will no longer be associated with the Government of the Colony or the administration of justice, he will not be lost to the community. While he is still with us the sense of loss consequent on the
! retiral of such a popular officer of the Crown cannot be so keen as it otherwise would be. Nevertheless, it is no mere commonplace to say that regret will be felt that Sir Hleury Berkeley ceases to be Attorney-General.
Sir Henry has been for nearly thirty years a law officer of the Crown in various colonies, Called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1873, he shortly afterwards went to the Leeward Islands where he practised his profession as a barrister for four years. Then in 1877 he accepted the appointment of Acting Attorney-General. succeeding in the following year to the office of Solicitor General.
In 1883 he was acting Colonial Secretary, and two years later he was appointed Attorney-General of
Fiji, which had only been annexed
by Great Britain about two years before Here he remained for nearly 17 years, during which time he administered the govern- ment ten or twelve times. In 1889 he became Chief Justice and held that office till 1992, when be left for Hongkong. Arriving in the iji Islands in the early days he saw the place grow from a primitive South Sea Islaud community into a flourishing British colony. It is one of the few places in the British Empire where, the cultivation of sugar is a lucrative under taking, owing to the fact that the great colonial Sugar Refinery Company of Sydney expended close ou four millions in establishing mills and also by reason of the fact that the rich alluvial soil and the climate favour the growth of the caue. About 1887 the export of high grade crystal sugar amounted to, 2,000 tons, but progress became the keyuote of the colony and in less than 20 years the output has risen to between 60,0 0 and 70,000 tons. This growth was in part due to the shutting down of the plantations in Queensland as the result of the exclusion of the Asiatics and Kanakas. When he went out there first the place was inhabited only by natives and a few cotton and cocoanut planters. There was no telegraphic communication ́with the outside world and there was only one steamer month from Sydney and оде a month from New Zealand. The place continued like that for some years, but as the port of sugar increased in volume, mechanics were employed in the mills, aud ships began to throng the river. The most up-to-date plant and completely equipped mills were erected and their gigantic operations gave the colony a very busy appearance. Another factor in the development of the Islands was the system of bringing Indian coolies under a ten years' agreement to work in the colony. For the first five years they had to be under indenture to labour in some plantation but in the second five years they were allowed to work for whom they pleased. At the end of that period they had the option of a free passage home or £12 instead. If they remained they were given grants of land, and those who did so hecame so successful in growing cine that now the majority of those brought out stay in Fiji. At present there are about 20,000 peasant pro- prietors who keep the mills supplied with cane. This benefits the mills which are enabled to buy cheaper than mills in any other part of the world. While holding office in Fiji, Sir Henry became acquainted with the statesmen and leading men of both Australia and New Zealand and was a personal friend of the late Mr. Seddon, the New Zealand premier.
OX-
Since coming to Hongkong four and a half years ago Sir Henry has been associated with some important legislation, notably the Public Health and Buildings Ordicance, the Married Women's Property Ordinance, and the Ordinance giving accused persons the right to give evidence on their own behalf. A member of both the
[November 3, 1906.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND Executive and Legislative Councils, his wide | talent on which they can draw for entertainment experience and sonud judgment influenced the Mr. Sutherland kept everyone in roars of deliberations of both assemblies. Clear sighted, laughter by his clever mimiory, while Lient. he could take a proper survey of any question Crosse, R.A., added to the gaiety of the night. brought under consideration. Painstaking, he The chorus "the green grass grows all round,' showed a capacity for detail and a thoroughness popularised by sergt. Croucher, a favourita that made light of all difficulties. Convincing member of the staff, was again in evidence. as a speaker and a debater, he combined Incidity The other entertainers, who have done so much of statement with vigour of expression and force during the camp, kept up their reputation and ful argument. But it was nadoubtedly at the materially added to the harmony of the evening. Bar where he shone. As Attorney-General he Towards the close there was a call for a presented the cases for the prosecution in a speech from Major Pritchard, with which manner that showed he had the interests of the he complied. He said that he was aoting Crown before him and that also showed his against his usual practica in making more than desire to be perfectly just to the man whom he one speech at camp. Proceeding, be expressed was accusing. He was
always courteous, the regret which he felt in leaving the corps, always fair, and always just. Posses and of con and complimented the Volunteers on the siderable forensic ability, his power of words progress they nal mad. That camp was the most was particularly felt on solemu occasions, when successful yet bld. Not only was the discipline he could be most impressive. In debate he was better than ever it had been, but he thought the ever ready, and he could make his points so attendance was greater. The speech was follow- clearly and state his facts so lucidly that his argned by the singing of He's a jolly good fellow," ment was never weakened through imperfect and the gathering broke up as uanal with the presentation. Personally, ther is uo mare
National Anthem. The shrill whistle indicated popular man in the Colony. While upholding that the launch was waiting and by eleven the dignity of his office, he always made himself o'clock the visitors had taken their departure. agreeable to all with whom he came in con- Sunday morning was a busy time. After tact in private and public life. In a word, he the Comman lant had looked through represents the best type of au nglish gentl❘ the man. courteous, kindly and fair to all. Having many friends here and liking the people and the place, it is only natural that he should decide to remain bere, where he is on the best term with every one.
VOLUNTEER CAMP.
(Daily Press, October 29th.)
This morning tents were struck at Stone- cutters and the sixteen days' encampment was brought to a close, the general opinion being that the Volunteers had benefited very much from the instruction im arted and that they bad attained considerable efficiency. Certainly progress had been made, and the express ons of the inspecting officers were all couche in terms of congratulation.
On Saturday afternoon there was a full muster for the 15 BL. and Maxim guu inspec- tion by the CR.A., Colonel Kent. H.E. the Governor was present and witnessed the shooting. For the first time the Artillery had to fire with the fifteen pounders" at a moving target. Iu the opening rounds the shooting was not parti- cularly good, but it improved as the afternoon advanced and satisfactory practice was made at the close. Decidedly better was the shooting with the Maxim guns. Afterwards the men were drawn up and addressed by the Iuspecting Officer. He remarked that the gun-laying at the outset was rather erratic but that it had improved in the course of the afternoon. He impressed on them the necessity for e mbining accuracy with rapidity, which were the essentials of successful big gun su oting, and explained that although the new eighteen pounder quick firing gun was easier to operate than their present gun, they ought to be able to make the most of the latter. The target was constructed so as to represent a small pinnacea form of craft which might attempt a landing and to deal with which might be the duty of the guns at Lyes. moon, and considering that that was the Volun. teers' first time of shooting at a moving target, their performance was very satisfactory. Car- tainly it showed an enormous improvement over their shooting of two or three years ago when they were accustomed to fire at a stationary
barrel in the water.
The Engineers also passed a satisfactory techuical examination.
At night the hilarity of the camp was more pronounced than usual, and after dinner there were ind cations that the usual imprompta concert would soon take place. The estimation in which the genial Commandaat is held was manifested when a number of Volunteers, with- out official prompting but with remarkable spontaneity, formed a guard of honour as Major Pritchard left the officers' quarters for the mess, The men saluted and everybody appreciated the spirit of the compliment and the humour of the men. Soon auother of those pleasant after dinner concerts was in progress, but on this occasion the programme was contributed to by other than Volunteers, who, however, have no little
"
tents. the man assembled on the l'arade Ground, where they were inspected by Colonel Darling. The Inspecting Officer, who was received with a general salate, made a minute inspection of the arms and accoutre- ments, after which he addressed the Volunteers. He said be understool that their work the previous day had been satisfactory and he was glad to note that they had made progress. Last April when he inspected them on the Polo Ground he noticed that some of the men apparently thought more of comfort than appearance. Their belts were allowed to hang rather loosely. On this occasion he was glad to see that the equipment was put on properly,
Divine service, conducted by the Rav. G. Searle, C.P., followed, after which Colonel Darling inspected the teu s. This concluded the serious work of the camp, Photographers then found occupation for their cameras aud with potential pictures reminiscent of a pleasant experienc› the men bade good-bye to duty for a cousiderable period. There was an exception of course in those who had to go on guard.
The cadets, who have been such a piquant feature of the camp, were examined yesterday iu signalling, and all acquitted themselves very creditably.
The annual sports were again a decided success attracting a large number of spectators. Lieut. Kennett managed the course very ably. The events were.
Boat race (Challenge), R. G. A. (Staecutters) v. H.K, V. . rowed in five oured gigs. The Volunteers took the inside course and started
well. The R. G. A practically held the lead all the way and finished about two lengths ahead. Still the race was a good one aud had the Volunteers been in training a different result might have been expected.
Cadets Race-1, Martin; 2, Robson; 3. Stokes.
Boot and Puttee Race-1, E Humphreys; 2, Monagh, R.G.A.
Victoria Cross Race. Run in three heats of niue each-1, Copl. Witchell and Cadet Baker; 2, Gibson.
Inter-Company Maxim guo competition. Six teams entered. The conditions were: Guns to be brought into action, changed from travelling to tripod, cease firing and reur to base. Points for time and discipline: Won by Sergt. Longstaff's team. Tim 2 mins. 3 BUCS. Sergt. Seth's team was second.
Team race (pen). Four teams, including one from the 87th Co, R.G.A., entered. Corpi. Witchell's team won.
Potato Rice-Gunner Brotherton, R.G.A. Tug-of-War-R.G. A. (Stougoutters) T. H.KV.A. The soldiers were the heavier lot, and won both pulls as expected, though the Volunteers shaped bitter than was anticipated against such weighty opPaents. In addition to these events there were twa races for children, which proved very interesting.“
The prizes were distributed at the close by Major Pritchard, and cheers for the Command- ant, the Volunters, and the .G.A. brought the proceedings to a clɔse,
B
!Page 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.