Soon after he earned the “first pot of gold”, as the Chinese saying goes, Chater opened a company in Wan Chai, the first in Hong Kong that ran dockside-warehousing business.  Though failed in this initial attempt, he was quick to collect himself and, with his uncommon acumen, established a wharfage company at Tsim Sha Tsui, a site barren at that time but considered by Chater potentially worthy for the cause.  In 1886, accordingly, he set up The Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, which became the distinguished “Wharf” today.

Chater was one of the most influential businessmen in Old Hong Kong.  A close associate of Jardine and Mody, the latter an Indian business giant, Chater took part in founding a lot of notable and lasting enterprises: the Wharf, of course, and Hongkong Land (nicknamed “the landlord of Central”), Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Hong Kong Electric, CLP Power, Star Ferry, Dairy Farm, etc.  He had been the member of the Executive Council before joining the Legislative Council.  In the 1880s he steered the second phase of reclamation in Central, which is why we can find his trace all over Central today: Chater Garden, Chater Road, Chater House, etc., as if he actually “owned” Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.  In the local community he was known as “The Father of the Colony”.  He was also remembered as an exalted race horse owner, as reflected in the still-running “Chater Cup”.  It won’t be difficult to imagine how reputable and wealthy he was!