Ma Lile
Jeremy Marriott (born Jeremy Charles Henry Marriott; 7 August 1934 – 12 March 2024) was a Hong Kong businessman and former British colonial official who served as District Officer of Tai Po and Tsuen Wan.
Biography
Early Career
Jeremy Marriott was born in August 1934 in Marylebone, London, United Kingdom. After obtaining a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cambridge, he joined the Hong Kong Government in December 1958 as a Cadet Officer II, serving as Assistant Secretary in the Colonial Secretariat. In July 1959, he was promoted to Administrative Officer and became Deputy District Officer, Tai Po, in January of the following year.[1] [2]During this period, when the then District Officer Walter Harper was on leave and before Loke Wan took office, Marriott stood in to pay New Year visits to the seven districts of Tai Po. He emphasized that for the development plans of Sha Tin and Tai Po new towns to succeed, cooperation from local villagers was essential. He left the post in February 1962 and returned to the Colonial Secretariat in August as Assistant Secretary until he went on leave to the UK in February 1966.
In October 1966, he was promoted to Senior Administrative Officer and in the following month appointed Assistant Colonial Secretary, concurrently serving as Clerk to both Councils. From January to April 1967, he briefly returned to the Colonial Secretariat as Assistant Secretary and was then promoted to District Officer, Tsuen Wan in April 1967, and concurrently to Administrative Officer Staff Grade C. Although his tenure in Tsuen Wan lasted only eight months, he was active in local development. He approved infrastructure improvements on Tsing Yi Island, advocated for the island’s first swimming pool, led a tree-planting campaign in the countryside of Tsuen Wan, and facilitated the construction of a maternity home in Ma Wan.
District Officer, Tai Po
In December 1967, Marriott was transferred to become District Officer of Tai Po. During his tenure, he followed his predecessors in addressing local demands for better infrastructure, transportation, and sanitation. One notable case involved residents of Ma On Shan Village, who complained about disturbances and blocked water sources due to mining explosions and requested resettlement. Although Marriott initially dismissed the need for relocation, he eventually agreed to address the matter after villagers submitted a collective petition.
At that time, the government’s plans to develop Sha Tin New Town and build Sai Sha Road remained in the planning stages, leading to ongoing traffic congestion in Sha Tin and inaccessibility in northern Sai Kung. Marriott assured local communities that construction of both projects would begin during his term. However, the projects were delayed: Sha Tin New Town’s development did not commence until 1972, and the first phase of Sai Sha Road (from Tai Wan to Kei Ling Ha Lo Wai) only began in April 1970. Regarding the resettlement of boat dwellers in Plover Cove, Marriott oversaw the allocation of government land in Ha Hang for the construction of the Aid Ethos Village by the Methodist Church in 1969 to provide housing.
In April 1970, Marriott left his post to return to the UK on leave and subsequently resigned from the Hong Kong civil service. The following year, he published commentary in a Hong Kong newspaper criticizing the government’s administration of the New Territories, claiming Kat O remained "as isolated as it had been fifty years ago." His comments were rebutted by village representatives who sent letters to the press describing them as inaccurate.
Hong Kong Resort Company (HKR)
Marriott later returned to Hong Kong to serve as Executive Director of Hong Kong Resort Company, overseeing the development of Discovery Bay. In 1989, he welcomed the government's Airport Core Programme, stating that it would support residential development in Discovery Bay, including road links to northern Lantau.
In 1990, HKR announced a 70% fare increase for Discovery Bay ferry services, sparking protests among residents. Marriott accused protestors of spreading misinformation, stating that the ferry service had lost over HK$30 million since its launch in 1982, and that a fare hike was necessary for sustainability. HKR later reduced the fare increase and applied to the government for a franchise to gain priority rights over pier assets and to shift fare adjustment responsibility from the developer to the government. However, by 1992, the government had yet to approve the application. At a maritime conference that year, Marriott criticized the government for discriminating against smaller ferry operators and favoring franchise holders.
Marriott also raised concerns over the impact of the Central-Wan Chai Reclamation and North Lantau Development projects on Discovery Bay ferry routes. In 1994, he warned that dredging and construction around the Western Harbour Tunnel had narrowed navigation channels, increasing collision risks. In 1995, he opposed the government’s proposal to reclaim land at Kau Yi Chau and Penny’s Bay for Container Terminals 10 and 11, arguing that it would further endanger ferry operations. In 1996, he accused the government of misleading the public by overstating the need for port development in North Lantau.
In 1994, the government approved HKR's plan to construct the Discovery Bay Tunnel linking the area to North Lantau. After geological surveys, the Discovery Bay Tunnel and Road Ordinance was brought before the Legislative Council in 1997. Representing HKR, Marriott responded to legislators’ inquiries, and the ordinance was passed in June 1997. In January 1998, Marriott abruptly announced his resignation as Executive Director of HKR, surprising the Discovery Bay community. He officially stepped down in April that year.
Personal Life
Jeremy Marriott was married. He passed away on 12 March 2024 at the age of 89.