Jack Cater
Encyclopedia
Sir Jack Cater, KBE
, JP
(21 February 1922 - 14 April 2006) was the Chief Secretary
of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1981. Cater was the third Chief Secretary under the Governorship
of Sir Murray MacLehose, later Lord MacLehose of Beoch. He is probably most noted for his rôle as the founding Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
officer in the Fisheries Department, and was made Director of Agriculture and Fisheries
in 1964. He was appointed by then Governor David Trench to lead the team which restored peace and security following the riots in 1967. He served 2 years as Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council
, and went on to become Secretary for Security
and Director of Government Information Services
.
Cater was instrumental in establishing schools in all of Hong Kong's fishing villages.
In February 1974, he was delighted to accept appoint to the first Commissionership of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) by Murray MacLehose following the flight of Police Superintendent Peter Godber. His widow later revealed that Cater considered at one point leaving the government. She said:
Cater was widely respected and much liked in Hong Kong for the way in which he brought the fledgling ICAC to the point where it became strong enough to survive the attacks of vested interests, and of its many enemies both within and without the government. As a result of Cater's vital early direction, the ICAC was able to grow into a body which presided over the (almost total) eradication of corruption
, both official (Governmental) and elsewhere, in Hong Kong.
Sir Jack and Lady Cater returned to Britain, and settled on the British Channel Island
of Guernsey
in 2001. Cater suffered from Alzheimer's disease
during the final, few years of his life. He died in Guernsey
in 14 April 2006, aged 84.
A memorial was held for him in Hong Kong at the St. John's Cathedral
on 21 October 2006, and was attended by many senior officials and prominent figures, inter alia Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang
, Run Run Shaw
, David Akers-Jones
, former Secretary for Security Alistair Asprey, as well as Raymond Wong
and Lily Yam, respectively the current Commissioner and a former Commissioner of the ICAC.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(21 February 1922 - 14 April 2006) was the Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary for Administration
The Chief Secretary for Administration , commonly known as Chief Secretary and abbreviated as CS, is the second highest position of the Hong Kong Government...
of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1981. Cater was the third Chief Secretary under the Governorship
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
of Sir Murray MacLehose, later Lord MacLehose of Beoch. He is probably most noted for his rôle as the founding Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
Career
Cater began his career in Hong Kong in 1946 as a cadetCadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
officer in the Fisheries Department, and was made Director of Agriculture and Fisheries
Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation is the head of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong Government.-List of Directors:* Gavin J Hoult* Lessie Wei* Alan Wong Chi-kong...
in 1964. He was appointed by then Governor David Trench to lead the team which restored peace and security following the riots in 1967. He served 2 years as Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers. Established in 1966, it has more than 40 offices around the world, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, promoting Hong Kong as a platform for doing business...
, and went on to become Secretary for Security
Secretary for Security
The Secretary for Security is the member of the Hong Kong Government in charge of the Security Bureau, which is responsible for public safety, security, and immigration matters....
and Director of Government Information Services
Information Services Department
The Information Services Department is the Hong Kong Government's public relations consultant, publisher, advertising agent and news agency. It is the link between the administration and the media...
.
Cater was instrumental in establishing schools in all of Hong Kong's fishing villages.
In February 1974, he was delighted to accept appoint to the first Commissionership of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) by Murray MacLehose following the flight of Police Superintendent Peter Godber. His widow later revealed that Cater considered at one point leaving the government. She said:
Cater was widely respected and much liked in Hong Kong for the way in which he brought the fledgling ICAC to the point where it became strong enough to survive the attacks of vested interests, and of its many enemies both within and without the government. As a result of Cater's vital early direction, the ICAC was able to grow into a body which presided over the (almost total) eradication of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, both official (Governmental) and elsewhere, in Hong Kong.
Personal
Married to Peggy in 1950. The couple lived most of their life together in Hong Kong, until the late 1990s. They had 3 children, Susan, Jacqueline and Richard.Sir Jack and Lady Cater returned to Britain, and settled on the British Channel Island
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
of Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
in 2001. Cater suffered from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
during the final, few years of his life. He died in Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
in 14 April 2006, aged 84.
A memorial was held for him in Hong Kong at the St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong
St. John's Cathedral , officially The Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist and located at 4 Garden Road, Central, is an Anglican cathedral in Hong Kong. It is the Diocesan cathedral of the...
on 21 October 2006, and was attended by many senior officials and prominent figures, inter alia Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
, Run Run Shaw
Run Run Shaw
Sir Run Run Shaw CBE, GBM is a Hong Kong media mogul.-Overview:Sir Run Run Shaw was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China in 1907. There has been no official or formal announcement on the exact day and month of his birth. According to A&C Black published Who's Who 2007, Shaw Run Run was born on 14...
, David Akers-Jones
David Akers-Jones
Sir David Akers-Jones, KBE, CMG, GBM, JP was the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong from 1985 to 1987, and was briefly Acting Governor of Hong Kong.-Biography:...
, former Secretary for Security Alistair Asprey, as well as Raymond Wong
Raymond Wong (civil servant)
Raymong Wong Hung-chiu , is the current Permanent Secretary for Education of Hong Kong.-Background:Wong was joined the Government in the Administrative Service in August 1980, served in various bureaux and departments, including the Security Branch Commissioner for Narcotics from January to...
and Lily Yam, respectively the current Commissioner and a former Commissioner of the ICAC.