Qu De
Au Tak (also known by courtesy name Tak Man, born 1840, died 1920), originally named Yan Tak, was a native of Xiqiao in Nanhai County, Guangdong Province, who later became a prominent merchant in Hong Kong. He was a pioneer in real estate and construction, served as managing director of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and was renowned as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Family
His mother was Lady Au.[1] His son-in-law Ho Wing-Chan was the eldest son of Sir Ho Kai; the two families shared roots in Xiqiao, Nanhai. Au Tak's descendants now live in Hong Kong and Canada.
Property development
In 1914, Au Tak partnered with Sir Ho Kai, Sir Wei Po-Shan, Sir Chau Sau-Sahn, Cho Shan-Yuen, Chow Siu-Kei, Ng Chiu-Shu, Mok Kan-Sang, Wong Guang-Tin, Au Kuen-Chu, and Cheung Sum-Wu to found the Kai Tak Investment Company. They initiated reclamation of the north shore of Kowloon Bay opposite Kowloon Walled City, intending to build a garden suburb called "Kai Tak" starting in 1916. The project was only partially successful; much of the land was reclaimed by the government in the mid-1920s to create the early Kai Tak Airport. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the remaining residential development was cleared to expand the airport.
Named structures
In 1878, Au Tak established the Chong Lung Tai Company on Hong Kong Island, dealing in furniture, foreign curios, jewelry, and photographic equipment. Lung Street in Central was named in his honor.
Upon his death in 1920, Au Tak bequeathed HK$10,000 for a school to serve the Kai Tak area. Mok Kan-Sang matched this gift. The school, built in 1926 by Cho Shan-Yuen, was named Man Sau College, combining the final character of Tak Man and Kan-Sang. Its first principal was Mr Wong Ying-Yan.
See also
- Kai Tak