Senior Unofficial Member
Encyclopedia
Senior Unofficial Member （首席非官守議員） denotes the highest-ranking unofficial member of the Legislative Council
and Executive Council of Hong Kong
under Colonial British rule
, which supposedly represented the opinions of the unofficial members of same to the Governor of Hong Kong
.
As Chinese council members were frequently referred to as "Chinese Representatives", the senior member was also known as the "Senior Chinese Representative" or Senior Chinese Unofficial Member
(首席華人非官守議員）.
and Legislative Council of Hong Kong
were set up in 1843 composed of colonial administrators. The councils were initially chaired by the Governor of Hong Kong
.The colony's subjects remained unrepresented until 1850, when the government appointed two businessmen to Legco, which included David Jardine of Jardines
as the first Senior Unofficial Member to LegCo in the history of Hong Kong。It was not until 1896, on his appointment to ExCo that Catchick Paul Chater
became the Senior Unofficial Member there.
Historically, ExCo Senior Unofficial Member importance greatly exceeded that of the LegCo counterpart, thus their term of office were longer. Before the Second World War, there have been only three Senior Unofficial Members in ExCo, whereas there have been four LegCo Senior Unofficial Members.Initially, membership was restricted to foreigners, ethnic Chinese
were admitted at a later date. The first ethnic Chinese to be appointed LegCo Senior Unofficial Member was Ho Kai, who held the post from 1906 to 1914. The first ethnic Chinese to be appointed ExCo Senior Unofficial Member was Chau Tsun-nin, who held the post from 1953 to 1959.Prior to Chau Tsun-nin, Chow Shouson
was also ExCo Senior Unofficial Member when he stood in for three months following Henry Pollock.
The ExCo Senior Unofficial Member would customarily receive knighthoods, although their LegCo counterparts would not.Pre-war ExCo and LegCo Senior Unofficial Member typically served four to five year terms, renewable. Their seniority implied they would not remain as ordinary Legco/Exco members at the end of their terms, but would leave the council on expiry.
In 1985, indirect election
s were introduced for the Legislative Council. In order to avoid confusion, Sir Edward Youde renamed ExCo and LegCo Senior Unofficial Member to "Senior Member" of ExCo and LegCo. The introduction in 1991 of direct election
s to LegCo more than doubled the number of legislators. The directly elected members refused to take orders from the Senior Member. Allen Lee
, senior member at the time was unable to represent the council with a single voice and would occasionally have run-ins with the directly-elected members. In 1992, Governor David Wilson
abolished the post. In 1997, after the Transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, the post 'Senior Unofficial Member of ExCo' was renamed 'Convenor of the Unofficial Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong'.
During colonial times, the Urban Council also had a post entitled 'Senior Unofficial Member', with a similar role. However, its importance was considerably less than its ExCo and LegCo counterparts.
The longest serving Senior Unofficial Members of LegCo were Sir Henry Pollock and Phineas Ryrie, who sat for 24 and 22 years respectively； The three who served the shortest duration were George Lyall, John Dent and Kwok Chan, who sat for one year. Lydia Dunn was the only female; Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee
was the only Parsee； Roger Lobo was the only Portuguese.
The longest serving Senior Unofficial Members of ExCo was Catchick Paul Chater, who served a total of 30 years；the shortest tenures were Sir Sidney Gordon and J. J. Peterson, each serving under one year. Lydia Dunn was the first female ExCo Senior Unofficial Member. Chater was the only Senior Unofficial Member to die in office； Chau Tsun-nin and Chau Sik-nin were the only Senior Unofficial Members drawn from the same clan.
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
and Executive Council of Hong Kong
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
under Colonial British rule
Colonial Hong Kong
In the 19th century the British, Dutch, French, Indians and Americans saw Imperial China as the world's largest untapped market. In 1840 the British Empire launched their first and one of the most aggressive expeditionary forces to claim the territory that would later be known as Hong Kong.In a few...
, which supposedly represented the opinions of the unofficial members of same to the Governor of Hong Kong
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...
.
As Chinese council members were frequently referred to as "Chinese Representatives", the senior member was also known as the "Senior Chinese Representative" or Senior Chinese Unofficial Member
Senior Chinese Unofficial Member
Senior Chinese Unofficial Member denotes the highest-ranking Chinese member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council under colonial British rule. As Chinese council members were frequently referred to as "Chinese Representatives", the senior member was also known as the "Senior Chinese...
(首席華人非官守議員）.
Background
The Executive Council of Hong KongExecutive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
and Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
were set up in 1843 composed of colonial administrators. The councils were initially chaired by the Governor of Hong Kong
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...
.The colony's subjects remained unrepresented until 1850, when the government appointed two businessmen to Legco, which included David Jardine of Jardines
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
as the first Senior Unofficial Member to LegCo in the history of Hong Kong。It was not until 1896, on his appointment to ExCo that Catchick Paul Chater
Catchick Paul Chater
Sir Catchick Paul Chater, CMG , was a prominent British businessman of Armenian descent in colonial Hong Kong.-Early life:...
became the Senior Unofficial Member there.
Historically, ExCo Senior Unofficial Member importance greatly exceeded that of the LegCo counterpart, thus their term of office were longer. Before the Second World War, there have been only three Senior Unofficial Members in ExCo, whereas there have been four LegCo Senior Unofficial Members.Initially, membership was restricted to foreigners, ethnic Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
were admitted at a later date. The first ethnic Chinese to be appointed LegCo Senior Unofficial Member was Ho Kai, who held the post from 1906 to 1914. The first ethnic Chinese to be appointed ExCo Senior Unofficial Member was Chau Tsun-nin, who held the post from 1953 to 1959.Prior to Chau Tsun-nin, Chow Shouson
Chow Shouson
Sir Shouson Chow was a Hong Kong-born businessman. He had been a Qing Dynasty official and also a notable figure in the Government of Hong Kong.-Family:...
was also ExCo Senior Unofficial Member when he stood in for three months following Henry Pollock.
The ExCo Senior Unofficial Member would customarily receive knighthoods, although their LegCo counterparts would not.Pre-war ExCo and LegCo Senior Unofficial Member typically served four to five year terms, renewable. Their seniority implied they would not remain as ordinary Legco/Exco members at the end of their terms, but would leave the council on expiry.
In 1985, indirect election
Indirect election
Indirect election is a process in which voters in an election don't actually choose between candidates for an office but rather elect persons who will then make the choice. It is one of the oldest form of elections and is still used today for many upper houses and presidents...
s were introduced for the Legislative Council. In order to avoid confusion, Sir Edward Youde renamed ExCo and LegCo Senior Unofficial Member to "Senior Member" of ExCo and LegCo. The introduction in 1991 of direct election
Direct election
Direct election is a term describing a system of choosing political officeholders in which the voters directly cast ballots for the person, persons or political party that they desire to see elected. The method by which the winner or winners of a direct election are chosen depends upon the...
s to LegCo more than doubled the number of legislators. The directly elected members refused to take orders from the Senior Member. Allen Lee
Allen Lee
Allen Lee Peng Fei , CBE, JP, is a founding member of Liberal Party of Hong Kong, veteran Hong Kong politician, political programme radio host and TV host. Jonathan Dimbleby described him as a "weather vane" in his book The Last Governor.Lee was a senior member of the Legislative Council of Hong...
, senior member at the time was unable to represent the council with a single voice and would occasionally have run-ins with the directly-elected members. In 1992, Governor David Wilson
David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn
David Clive Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn, is a retired British administrator, diplomat and Sinologist. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn was the penultimate Commander-in-Chief and 27th Governor of Hong Kong...
abolished the post. In 1997, after the Transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, the post 'Senior Unofficial Member of ExCo' was renamed 'Convenor of the Unofficial Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong'.
During colonial times, the Urban Council also had a post entitled 'Senior Unofficial Member', with a similar role. However, its importance was considerably less than its ExCo and LegCo counterparts.
Statistical overview
In total there have been 26 and 11 Senior Unofficial Members respectively of LegCo and ExCo. Of these, six have served as Senior Unofficial Members in both councils: Catchick Paul Chater, Sir Henry Pollock, Chau Tsun-nin, Kan Yuet-keung, Sze-yuen Chung and Lydia Dunn.The longest serving Senior Unofficial Members of LegCo were Sir Henry Pollock and Phineas Ryrie, who sat for 24 and 22 years respectively； The three who served the shortest duration were George Lyall, John Dent and Kwok Chan, who sat for one year. Lydia Dunn was the only female; Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee
Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee
Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee, CBE , was a Parsee in Hong Kong. He was the son of Jehangir Hormusjee Ruttonjee, the founder of Ruttonjee Sanitorium. He was a Legislative Councillor in the 1960s.-Biography:...
was the only Parsee； Roger Lobo was the only Portuguese.
The longest serving Senior Unofficial Members of ExCo was Catchick Paul Chater, who served a total of 30 years；the shortest tenures were Sir Sidney Gordon and J. J. Peterson, each serving under one year. Lydia Dunn was the first female ExCo Senior Unofficial Member. Chater was the only Senior Unofficial Member to die in office； Chau Tsun-nin and Chau Sik-nin were the only Senior Unofficial Members drawn from the same clan.
ExCo Senior Unofficial Member
| Order | Image | Senior Unofficial Member (ExCo) | Term start | Term end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catchick Paul Chater Catchick Paul Chater Sir Catchick Paul Chater, CMG , was a prominent British businessman of Armenian descent in colonial Hong Kong.-Early life:... 1900 to 1906 LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1896 | 1926 | |
| 2 |  |
Sir Henry Pollock（Sir Henry Pollock） Concurrently LegCo Senior Unofficial Member Chow Shouson Chow Shouson Sir Shouson Chow was a Hong Kong-born businessman. He had been a Qing Dynasty official and also a notable figure in the Government of Hong Kong.-Family:... stood in between September and December 1928 |
1926 | December 1941 |
| Japanese occupation of Hong Kong Japanese occupation of Hong Kong The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted... |
||||
| a | |
Sir Henry Pollock | December 1941 | March 1946 |
| b | |
J. J. Peterson | March 1946 | April 1946 |
| c |  |
Sir Robert Kotewall | April 1946 | May 1946 |
| Restored after defeat of Japan | ||||
| 3 | |
Arthur Morse Arthur Morse Sir Arthur Morse was the head of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during and after World War II. He was a British banker born in Tipperary in Ireland. He has worked in Shanghai, London and Tientsin and finally many years in Hong Kong... Later Sir Arthur Morse |
May 1946 | 1953 |
| 4 | |
Chau Tsun-nin Previously LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1953 | 1959 |
| 5 | |
Sir Chau Sik-nin Previously LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1959 | 1962 |
| 6 | |
Albert Rodrigues | 1962 | 1974 |
| 7 | |
Yuet Keung Kan Yuet Keung Kan Sir Yuet-keung Kan, GBE, Kt, JP is a retired Hong Kong banker, politician and lawyer who was successively appointed Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council in the 1960s and 1970s... Previously LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1974 | March 1980 |
| 8 | |
Sir Sidney Gordon | March 1980 | August 1980 |
| 9 | |
Sir Sze-yuen Chung Previously LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
August 1980 | 1988 |
| 10 | |
Lydia Dunn Previously LegCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1988 | 1995 |
| 11 | |
Rosanna Wong Yick-ming Rosanna Wong Yick-ming Dame Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, DBE, JP , also known by her married name Mrs Rosanna Tam Wong Yick-ming in her former marriage from 1979 lasting until 1992, and primarily known as Dr Rosanna Wong in public occasions after 1997, is a Hong Kong social work administrator and politician who has served as... |
1995 | 1997 |
| 1997 Transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China | ||||
LegCo Senior Unofficial Member
| Order | Image | Senior Unofficial Member (LegCo) | Term start | Term end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
David Jardine David Jardine David Jardine was an English barrister and magistrate, known as a historical and legal writer.-Life:Born at Pickwick, near Bath, Somerset, he was son of David B. Jardine , Unitarian minister at Bath from 1790, by his wife, a daughter of George Webster of Hampstead... |
1850 | 1857 |
| 2 | |
Joseph Jardine | 1857 | 1860 |
| 3 | |
George Lyall | 1860 | 1861 |
| 4 | |
Alexander Perceval Alexander Perceval Colonel Alexander Perceval was an Irish politician. He sat in the House of Commons for Sligo County from 1831 to 1841, when his growing financial difficulties compelled him to resign his seat. He served briefly as a Junior Lord of the Treasury in Sir Robert Peel's second government .-References:*... |
1861 | 1864 |
| 5 | |
Francis Chomley | 1864 | 1866 |
| 6 | |
John Dent | 1866 | 1867 |
| 7 | |
Hugh Bold Gibb | 1867 | 1870 |
| 8 | |
Phineas Ryrie | 1870 | 1892 |
| 9 | |
Emanuel Raphael Belilios | 1892 | 1900 |
| 10 | Catchick Paul Chater Catchick Paul Chater Sir Catchick Paul Chater, CMG , was a prominent British businessman of Armenian descent in colonial Hong Kong.-Early life:... concurrently Senior Unofficial Member at LegCo |
1900 | 1906 | |
| 11 |  |
Dr. Ho Kai | 1906 | 1914 |
| 12 |  |
Wei A. Yuk | 1914 | 1917 |
| 13 | |
Sir Henry Pollock 1926 to 1941 LegCo Senior Unofficial Member Chow Shouson Chow Shouson Sir Shouson Chow was a Hong Kong-born businessman. He had been a Qing Dynasty official and also a notable figure in the Government of Hong Kong.-Family:... stood in between September and December 1928 |
1917 | 1941 |
| Japanese occupation of Hong Kong Japanese occupation of Hong Kong The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted... |
||||
| 14 | |
D. F. Landale | 1946 | 1950 |
| 15 | |
Chau Tsun-nin Later became ExCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1950 | 1953 |
| 16 | |
Chau Sik-nin Later became ExCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1953 | 1959 |
| 17 | |
Ngan Shing-Kwan | 1959 | 1961 |
| 18 | |
Kwok Chan | 1961 | 1962 |
| 19 | |
Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee Dhun Jehangir Ruttonjee, CBE , was a Parsee in Hong Kong. He was the son of Jehangir Hormusjee Ruttonjee, the founder of Ruttonjee Sanitorium. He was a Legislative Councillor in the 1960s.-Biography:... |
1962 | 1968 |
| 20 | |
Kan Yuet-Keung Later became ExCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1968 | 1972 |
| 21 | |
Woo Pak-Chuen | 1974 | |
| 22 | |
Chung Sze-yuen Later became ExCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1974 | 1978 |
| 23 | |
Oswald Victor Cheung | 1978 | 1981 |
| 24 | |
Roger Lobo | 1981 | 1985 |
| 25 | |
Lydia Dunn Later became ExCo Senior Unofficial Member |
1985 | 1988 |
| 26 | |
Allen Lee Allen Lee Allen Lee Peng Fei , CBE, JP, is a founding member of Liberal Party of Hong Kong, veteran Hong Kong politician, political programme radio host and TV host. Jonathan Dimbleby described him as a "weather vane" in his book The Last Governor.Lee was a senior member of the Legislative Council of Hong... |
1988 | 1992 |
| Abolished in 1992 | ||||
See also
- Executive Council of Hong KongExecutive Council of Hong KongThe Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
- Legislative Council of Hong KongLegislative Council of Hong KongThe Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
- Senior Chinese Unofficial MemberSenior Chinese Unofficial MemberSenior Chinese Unofficial Member denotes the highest-ranking Chinese member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council under colonial British rule. As Chinese council members were frequently referred to as "Chinese Representatives", the senior member was also known as the "Senior Chinese...
- Unofficial MemberUnofficial MemberUnofficial Member is the members of Executive Council and Legislative Council of Hong Kong but not from Hong Kong Government. Before Legislative Council direct election starting from 1991, the Government collects views and opinions by appointing elits from the society of Hong Kong to the two...