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Paul Chater

From Alfawiki
Sir Catchick Paul Chater
BornTemplate:Birth date
Calcutta, British India
DiedMay 27, 1926(1926-05-27) (aged 79)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist
Known forCo-founder of Chater & Mody, Hongkong Land, Dairy Farm; member of Executive Council of Hong Kong; philanthropist

Sir Catchick Paul Chater (; ; 8 September 1846 – 27 May 1926) was a distinguished British entrepreneur of Armenian heritage in colonial Hong Kong, with ancestral ties to Calcutta, India.

Early life

Born as Khachik Pogose Astwachatoorean () in Calcutta, British India, Chater was one of thirteen siblings born to Armenian parents, Miriam and Chater Paul Chater. His father held a position within the Indian civil service.

After becoming an orphan at age seven, Chater secured a scholarship to attend La Martiniere College in Calcutta. In 1864,[1] he moved to Hong Kong to join his sister Anna and her spouse, the Armenian-born Jordan Paul Jordan (1820–1875).[2][3]

Career

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, Chater initially took on the role of assistant at the Bank of Hindustan, China and Japan. Supported by the influential Sassoon family, he advanced to become an independent exchange broker specializing in gold bullion and land transactions.[2] He contributed to land reclamation efforts in Victoria Harbour by conducting nocturnal sea-bed soundings from a sampan.[2] Furthermore, he was instrumental in facilitating the colonial government’s purchase of military land holdings for two million pounds sterling.[1]

In 1868, Chater joined forces with Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody to establish the brokerage firm Chater & Mody. Despite their Hong Kong Milling Company (Rennie's Mill) failing in 1908,[2] their partnership was largely prosperous.

He played a foundational role in creating Dairy Farm in 1886 and that same year took over F.D. Sassoon’s seat on the Legislative Council.[4] Additionally, he founded Kowloon Wharf and Godown in 1886, which later evolved into The Wharf (Holdings).[5]

Together with James Johnstone Keswick, Chater co-established Hongkong Land in 1889.[6] The firm spearheaded significant land reclamation projects under the Praya Reclamation Scheme starting in 1890. Motivated by councillor Bendyshe Layton, they procured property in Wan Chai for constructing one of the earliest power stations worldwide.[7] The Hongkong Electric Company commenced operations that same year.[8]

An avid sports enthusiast, Chater was active with the Hong Kong Cricket Club first XI and supported thoroughbred horse racing. He founded Chater Stable in 1872, which achieved numerous victories at Happy Valley Racecourse.[9] The esteemed Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup commemorates his contributions.

Appointed to the Executive Council in 1896, he remained a member until his passing in 1926.[4] In recognition of his service, he was knighted during the 1902 Coronation Honours and received his knighthood from King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace.[10]

In 1901, Chater constructed 'Marble Hall' located at 1 Conduit Road, where he displayed his collection of fine porcelain.[11] To honor King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902, he donated a bronze statue unveiled at Statue Square in 1907. Additionally, he personally funded the erection of St. Andrew's Church in 1904.[1]

Among the prominent roles held by Chater were:

  • Master of Perseverance Lodge (1873)
  • Steward and Chairman of the Board of Stewards at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (1892–1926)
  • Senior Justice of the Peace
  • District Grand Master of Hong Kong and South China (1881–1909)
  • Director of Dairy Farm Co. Ltd. (1886)
  • Consul for Siam in Hong Kong
  • Treasurer and Chairman of Queen Victoria Jubilee Committee (1887)
  • Member of Public Lighting Committee (1896)
  • Member of Executive Council (1896)
  • Chairman of Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Committee (1897)
  • Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (1897)
  • Honorary LL.D. from University of Hong Kong for services as Honorary Treasurer (1923)

Philanthropy

In May 1923, while serving as treasurer of the University of Hong Kong, Chater contributed a donation of $250,000 to aid the institution during a challenging time.

During the 1924/25 period, he made his most substantial philanthropic gift, donating 1.1 million Rupees to La Martiniere College, his former school, effectively preventing its closure. This generous act is commemorated within the school's prayer.

Legacy

Chater passed away in 1926, leaving Marble Hall along with its art collection to the city of Hong Kong. The remainder of his estate was allocated to establish The Sir Catchick Paul Chater Home, a facility for elderly care in Calcutta. His final resting place is at Hong Kong Cemetery.

Following his death, his wife continued residing at Marble Hall until her passing in 1935, after which the property transferred to government control. The residence was renamed "Admiralty House" and served as the home for the Naval Commander-in-Chief. During the Japanese occupation, it was utilized by occupying forces and ultimately destroyed by fire in 1946. The site is currently occupied by government offices, with 'Chater Hall Flats' named in his honor.

Chater curated an extensive collection of historical images related to China—the Chater Collection—which featured paintings and photographs highlighting South China's trading ports and British commercial activities. Originally comprising approximately 430 items, much of it was lost during the Japanese occupation; only 94 pieces remain today and are preserved at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

His nephew, Gregory Paul Jordan, made significant contributions to medical services and education in Hong Kong and served as the University of Hong Kong’s second vice-chancellor.

A bust honoring Paul Chater was unveiled at La Martiniere Boys School in Kolkata on the occasion of his 171st birthday anniversary.

Prominent locations bearing his name include:

It is noteworthy that Peking Road was originally called Chater Street until it was renamed in 1909 to prevent confusion with Chater Road.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named orange
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named who
  3. ↑ Jordan Paul Jordan profile, chrisgrant.eu. Accessed 8 August 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named croucher
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AutoO6-5
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named titans
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named citylife
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AutoO6-6
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AutoO6-7
  10. ↑ Template:London Gazette
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gatekeeper
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