Governor of Hong Kong

The Governor of Hong Kong (zh-t|t=香港總督; abbreviated 港督) was the head of the Hong Kong Government, ex-officio Commander-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of the colony during British's rule between 1841 and 1997.

Upon the end of British rule and the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in 1997, this office was replaced by the Chief Executive.

The Governor

The Governor's powers and duties were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions. The Governor, appointed by the British monarch (on the advice of the prime minister), maintained executive power in Hong Kong throughout British rule, and with the exception of a brief experiment after World War II, no serious attempt was made to introduce representative government, until the final years of British rule.

The Governor appointed most, if not all, of the members of the colony's legislature the Legislative Council (known colloquially as LegCo), which was largely an advisory body before election was introduced until the first indirect elections of LegCo in 1985, and all members of the Executive Council (ExCo), effectively the cabinet of the colonial government. Initially both Councils were dominated by British expatriates, although this gave way to more local Hong Kong Chinese appointees in later years. Most recent governors of Hong Kong were professional diplomats, save the last Governor, Chris Patten, who was a career politician. The governor is the president of the Executive Council, and until 1993, the Legislative Council.

At December 1996, The Governor's salary was HK$3,036,000 per annum, tax-free. It was fixed at 125% of the Chief Secretary's salary. [ [http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo961217/text/61217w03.htm House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 17 Dec 1996 (pt 3) ] ]

Acting Governor/Administrator

In the absence of the Governor, the Colonial Secretary was the acting Governor of the colony. Most were from the British Colonial Office or British Army officers. One Royal Navy Vice Admiral has served as administrator after World War II. Four Japanese military officers (3 army officers and 1 naval vice admiral) served as administrator during World War II.

Transport

The Governor of Hong Kong used a Daimler DS420 for day to day transport and a Rolls-Royce Phantom V landaulette for ceremonial occasions. Both vehicles were removed by the Royal Navy immediately following the handover to China on 1 July 1997.

Residences of the governors

* The first governor, Sir Henry Pottinger resided in the Former French Mission Building from 1843 to 1846. The building now houses the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. His successor, John Francis Davis also lived there for a while, before moving to Caine Road.
* From the 4th governor (Sir John Bowring) until the last one (Chris Patten), governors resided at Government House.

List

Hong Kong had 28 governors, and 9 administrators:

ee also

* History of Hong Kong
*Chief Executive of Hong Kong

References

[http://images.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/images2/hongkonghennessyhead.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/hongkonggovernors.htm&h=80&w=80&sz=7&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=jYnTUjITo0fOjM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=74&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSir%2BGeorge%2BBonham%2Bof%2Bhong%2Bkong%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den Hong Kong Governors]

External links

* [http://www.hk-place.com/view.php?id=115 Places named after British monarchs, members of the Royal Family and colonial officials in Hong Kong]
* [http://www.fushantang.com/1006/f1012.html Photos of all Hong Kong Governors]