Chater

Sir Catchick Paul Chater, Kt, CMG, JP, LL.D, was a Hong Kong businessman of Armenian descent. He settled in Hong Kong in 1864, co-founded Wharf Holdings in 1886 and Hongkong Land in 1889. He was also a key initiator of Hong Kong's first stock exchange, the Hong Kong Brokers' Association. He served as an unofficial member of both the Legislative Council and Executive Council of Hong Kong, and was highly influential in Hong Kong at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Life

Early Life

Chater was born in Calcutta, India in 1846, of Armenian descent, with 13 siblings. His father, Paul Chater (1804–1853), was a civil servant, and his mother, Miriam Catchick Chater (1811–1855). Tragically, his parents passed away when he was six and seven years old respectively, leaving him an orphan at a young age.

Chater studied at the prestigious La Martiniere College in Calcutta, to which he later made significant contributions. After graduation, he moved to Hong Kong in April 1864, living with one of his sisters and her husband in an apartment on Wyndham Street.

Hong Kong

Business Career

In 1864, Chater was employed by the Bank of Hindustan, China and Japan, writing passbooks for clients. During his time there, he befriended the influential Sassoon family, quickly expanding his social network and gaining recognition in elite circles. In 1867, Chater became a broker and moved to Caine Road in 1869, where he also had his office.

While working at the bank, Chater met Hormusjee Mody, another Indian colleague, and they quickly became friends. In 1868, they co-founded Chater & Mody, engaging in real estate and stock market businesses. They capitalized on Britain's acquisition of Kowloon, focusing on land development in Tsim Sha Tsui, ultimately becoming successful business partners.

In 1884, Chater was commissioned by the Hong Kong government to build piers along Victoria Harbour. In 1886, he co-founded The Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Limited. That same year, he assisted Scottish doctor Sir Patrick Manson in establishing Dairy Farm and became a board member after its founding.

In 1889, Chater partnered with James Johnstone Keswick of Jardine Matheson to establish Hongkong Land, acquiring significant properties in Central, including Prince's Building and Alexandra Building.

Chater also ventured into mining, founding the Hong Kong Mining Company to operate mines in the New Territories and Tonkin, Vietnam. In 1906, the company obtained mining licenses from the government and began mining operations at Ma On Shan.

Public Service

In 1876, Chater was appointed a senior Justice of the Peace. From 1887 to 1905, he served as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council, where he advocated for land reclamation in Victoria Harbour, successfully launching the Western to Central Reclamation Project in 1888. He also proposed that Britain annex, rather than merely lease, the New Territories to facilitate mining development.

In 1896, Chater joined the Executive Council, becoming one of its first unofficial members. On 22 June 1897, he was awarded the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), and in 1902, he was knighted. In 1892, he also received the French Legion of Honour from the French colonial authorities.

During his time in the Executive Council, Chater mentored two influential figures: Sir Robert Ho Tung and Noel Croucher, both of whom played major roles in Hong Kong's economy and society in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Chater also held several public positions, including:

• Member of the Public Lighting Committee (1896)
• Consul and later Consul-General of Siam in Hong Kong (1900–1907)
• Chairman of the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Committee (1897)
• Hong Kong representative at King Edward VII's coronation in London (1902)

In 1899, Chater donated $35,000 to build St Andrew's Church in Kowloon, laying its foundation stone in 1904.

Later Years

In his later years, Chater made fewer public appearances. However, on 17 August 1910, at the age of 64, he married Maria Christine Pearson (6 May 1879 – 11 March 1935) in London. Pearson, from Sweden, was born into a merchant family, and they met in Hong Kong.

Chater later donated funds to build the University of Hong Kong's Students' Union Building (now the Hung Hing Ying Building), which was completed in 1919. In 1923, the university awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his service as Honorary Treasurer.

In 1925, Chater moved from his residence on Caine Road to Marble Hall at No. 1 Conduit Road, Mid-Levels. The grand mansion, completed in 1902, stood within a two-acre garden overlooking Victoria Harbour. Sadly, after living there for just one year, Chater passed away on 27 May 1926 at the age of 79. At the time of his death, he held directorships in more than 20 companies.

Per his instructions, his funeral was held within 12 hours of his passing, with a service at St John's Cathedral, followed by burial at Hong Kong Cemetery. The stock exchange suspended trading that day as a sign of mourning.

Interests

Chater's Art Collection

Chater was an avid collector of porcelain and paintings, including works by renowned artist George Chinnery. He had intended to establish the "Chater Collection" and donate it to the government for public enjoyment. However, after review by Governor Sir Cecil Clementi, the collection was instead distributed to Government House, the University of Hong Kong, and other government departments as decorations. During the Pacific War and Hong Kong's occupation, much of the collection was looted or destroyed. Although some pieces were later recovered in underground chambers in Hong Kong and occasionally in Japan, Chinnery's works remain missing, and the rest of the collection remains incomplete.

Sports

In his early years, Chater participated in local cricket matches. Even before the Hong Kong Jockey Club was founded, he was an enthusiastic horse racing fan and owned many champion racehorses, such as "Chater," frequently competing in Hong Kong and Shanghai and winning many races. Today, the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup commemorates him.

Honors

• Justice of the Peace (J.P.) (1876)
• Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) (1897)
• Knight Bachelor (Kt.) (1902)
• Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) (1923)
• District Grand Master of Freemasonry for Hong Kong and South China (1882–1909)

Places Named After Him

• Chater Garden
• Chater Road
• Chater Street
• Chater House
• Freemasons' Chater Scholarship Fund
• Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup

Former Names

• Peking Road (formerly Chater Road before 1909)

Further Reading

• Ting Sun-pao, Wong Nai-kwan (1999). Four Rings, Nine Districts. Hong Kong: Urban Council. ISBN 962-7039-31-4.

External Links

• Detailed information about Sir Paul Chater