For his exceptional ability, he was promoted just three years laterto be the Head Comprador. By this time he, as Chinese, became one of the most influential executives in Hong Kong — the general manager of Jardines, having full command over the firm’s business and taking full charge in its political and economic connection. He received not only the basic salary from the firm but also the huge commission from every transaction completed. For over half a century Ho Tung wielded unequivocal power over the entire society.
Naturally enough, after our trip to The Jardine Gardens, we should take a look at the mansion of Ho Tung, “the richest man in Hong Kong”, who actually made his fortune out of Jardines. “Idlewild” was the name of the far-famed mansion. Although the “shams” of today also favour one-word name, “Idlewild” is definitely a lot better in taste than all of them!
Robert Ho Tung Bosman, better known as Sir Robert Hotung and, in Chinese, Ho Tung, was born in Hong Kong in 1862. A Eurasian mix, his father was a Dutch and his mother a Chinese of Guangdong origin; for his life, however, he considered himself a native Chinese, likely because he was raised solely by the mother. After Ho Tung graduated from Queen’s College (then called Central School), he worked briefly for the Guangdong custom before he joined Jardines as a junior staff.
Later, Ho Tung left Jardines to set up his own business. His kingdom encompassed real estates, shipping, food grain, financial investment, press, trade, insurance, entertainment, hotel, etc. He was also the major shareholder of many big enterprises, including Industrial and Commercial Daily Press, Kwan Yick Mortgage, Green Island Cement, Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, Hong Kong Electric, Hongkong Land, Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock, Peak Tram, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, etc. It suffices to say that he had businesses and assets all over Hong Kong, China, Southeast Asia, Europe and America.
