The Correspondent, April 1992

APRIL I992

YEARS ON ICE HOUSE STREET

Add an

Tenth Anniversary Issue THE

Ensuring the Club's future by Steve Vines, First Vice President.

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS'

CLUB

VE

0

The most talked about Correspondents' Club by Donald

North Bìock.

I Lower Albert

Road, Hon_l Kong.

Telephone: -521 l.5l

I Fax: tì68 4092

Synonymous by Anthony Lawrence.

President - Peter Seidliø

First Vice President -

Steve Vines

Second Vice President - Wendy Hughes

Correspondent Member Governors Jonathan Friedlmd, Humphrey Hawksley, Gillian Tucker, Claudia Rosett, Martin Howell, Bob Davis, Catherine Ong, Hri Bedi, Mary Ellen Fullam Journalist Member Governors David Thurston, Stuart Wolfendale Associate Member Governors Roger Thomas, F. C. H. rüadsworth, Peter Humble, Mike Smith

I

The Presidential Sweets by Ted Thomas.

12-14 Photo file -- the offical opening of the Club by the then Governor Sir Edward Youde.

Professional Committee: Cont'enor : Steve Vines,

Mentbers: Peter Seidlitz, Hari Bedi,

Stuaf rilolfendale, Wendy Hughes, Humphrey

Reflections of Lord Maclehose.

Hawksley, Catherine Ong, Paul Bayfield

Membership Committee: Martin Howell, David Thurston Entertainment Comm¡ttee: Irene O'Shea

Video Committee: Mike Smith, Gillim Tucker Publ¡cations Committee: Convenor : David Thurston, Menthers: F.Wadsworth, Hari Bedi, Peter Humble, Bob Davis, Martin Howell, riy'endy Hughes, Francine Brcvetti Wall Committee: Bob Davis, David Thurston

Lord Wilson and the historic truth. Hong Kong's out-going Govemor talks about his five years in office.

Is there a freelance in the house ? by Martin Bamett.

Ten years in retrospect by Stuart Wolfendale.

THE CORRESPONDENT Editor: Karl rililson

Xianggang English Speaking Club by Simon

Advertising Manager: Rosemary Linle Page Make-up: Jme Recio md Eva Lai Artist: Ammdo D. Recio, Jr.

EDITORIAL OFFICE: AsiaPacihc Directories Ltd, Rm. 1301, l3lF, Pak Commercial Centre, 6-10 Shelter Sreet, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Telephone: 5'17 9331: Fax: 890 728? @ The Conespondent Opinions expressed by writers ue not necessuily those of the Foreign Conespondents' Club.

The Conespondent is published monthly for and on behalf of The Foreign Conespondents' Club by: AsiaPacifi c Directories Ltd. Rm 1301, l3Æ, Park Commercial Centre,

LONDON PROPERTY REPORT PEOPLE FCC GOLF LETTBRS FCC BOARD NOMINATIONS PEDDLER'S JOURNAL

22-27 39 40 42 43 44

6-10 Shelter Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Tel: 577 9331; Fax: 890 7287

Publisher: Vonnie Bishop Managing Director: Mike Bishua

SOUTHERN STAR MOTOR CO- (Distributor for

Southern China), 1702 Dina House, Duddell Street, Hong Kong. Tel, 868 0411 AG. BEIJING LIAISON OFFICE (for Northern China), 20/F, CITIC Building, tù/a¡ Dajie, Beijing. Tel: 5003051 19 Jian Cuo Men ZUNG FU A Jardine Pacific Business (Distributor for Hong Kong and Macau), Bonaventure House, l-eighton Road, Hong Kong. Tel, 895 7288.

023 Marine Deck, Ocean Tèrminal, Kowloon. Tel735 1199. Zung Fu Carpark Building, 50 Po Loi Street, Hunghom. Tel, %+ dSlg,

tl

@ Mercedes-Benz Engineered to move the human spirit.

Colour sepuation by: Colour Art Graphic Company Printed by Print House Ltd, Blk A, l6lF. Aik Sm Fty. Bldg, 14 r,lVestlmds Rd, Quarry Bay, H.K. Tel: 562 6157 (3 lines)

Cover design by Angela Chiu. Photographs courtesy : South China Morning Post, Reuter and Associated Press.

lnside photographs supplied by David Thurston, Hubert Van Es, Ray Cranbourne and Bob Davis.

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

1

The most talked about Correspondents' Club

Ensuring the Club's future ne of the stranger ironies of our time is the desire of governments, who most dislike the foreign media, to encourage its representatives to base themselves in

Lee Kwan Yew invited members of this club to consider Singapore as a suitable "perch" for their activities after 1997.

The suggestion was baffling on two accounts. First, if I am not mistaken, this is the same Lee who's been going round telling everybody how marvellous Hong Kong will be after 1997.

Second, his government was responsible for suppressing the circulation of four highly respected international publications and still refuses to grant journalist visas to reporters deemed to

be "undesirable."

Malaysia is another country which has frequently complained about the reporting of the foreign media. Yet its government has proclaimed itself keen to develop Kuala Lumpur as a regional base for foreign correspondents. The Malaysians went so far as to state (erroneously) that the far from uncritical Far Eastern Economic Review was thinking of moving its headquarters to Dr Mahathir's seat of government.

I suppose all this means that even governments which dislike independent reporting of their affairs, like to see their countries as international media centres. This, no doubt, is deemed as helpful in the highly competitive business of securing international respectability and, more tangibly, foreign investment.

The Hong Kong Government, which employs a small army of media specialists and advisors, appears to have recognised the unlikely fact that the congregation of foreign journalists on their

premises is, on balance, a good thing. Of course this doesn't prevent the more nervous members of the government's media army from worrying endlessly about how foreign correspondents present the image of Hong Kong to the outside world.

Are we too negative in our reporting? Do we pay sufficient attention to Hong Kong's achievements? etc. etc. Who among us has not been asked the questions. My answer has always been that I would not wish to insult Hong Kong by reporting its affairs with an eye on the sensitivities of the Government. This is the kind of reporting more attuned to life in dictatorships and lesser forms of tin pot authoritarian regimes. lf the Hong Kong government wants to be taken seriously, as indeed it should be, it will have to accept that its affairs will be covered much in the same way as the affairs of other governments in countries which tolerate and indeed encourage a free media.

To the credit of this government it has an extremely good record of not obstructing the activities of the foreign media and

is one of the few places in Asia where official cooperation is more or less taken for granted. lt should be added that the Government's propaganda machine has, if anything, some-

2

"THB,

CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

times been more obstructive to the local media, culminating in

the detention of Ta Kung Pao editors during the Cultural Revolution inspired riots of the late 1960's.

Against this background I believe that Hong Kong will continue to provide the best regional base for the media in the foreseeable future. The uncertainties of 1997 not withstanding, it is hard to identify a satisfactory alternative.

To ensure that journalists continue to have a base in the shape of the FCC, the Board is now entering into discussions with the Government to secure our tenancy of the lce House Street premises. At the same time we are working at plans to improve the facilities for working journalists. I reckon that this is about the best way of celebrating our 1Oth anniversary in this magnificent building.

Steve Vines, First Vice President

Ten years in lce House Street his month the FCC celebrates

'l

The

year

1980 saw an exorbitant rent spiral which threatened to deny the FCC a home in Cental Hong Kong. But a persuasive letter won the heart of the territory's then chief executive, as former Club P re sident Donald Wise explains.

t was a damp afternoon in March

pecially the Chinese old-timers, had let

1980 and I was peering disconsolately through the window of the FCC on the 1 Sth floor of Sutherland House.

As President I had to find a new home for the Club by September when the rent was due to be more than doubled. But there seemed to be nothing available in Central which we could afford -- let alone anything in the quadrilateral bounded by Furama Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Wyndham and Pedder streets. FCC members, es-

me know bluntly that nowhere else would

do.

Conservative estimates agreed that we would need some HK$18 million to build our own Club. Even at that price it would turn out probably cheaper per member than if we started paying rent at the levels demanded in our chosen area. But we had no money in the bank. The floating FCC population could not, and would not, tolerate beefing up subscriptions, bar prices

or, for that matter, any increase. Yet they still expected me to find new premises for

the Club.

To cap my depression (and rage) I had earlier in the day asked Michael Holbeche, a highly visible advertising man who liked

it to be known that his monthly bill was always the largest, if he would head a fund-raising committee to look into the unlikely possibility that some finance houses would arrange a mortgage for anything anywhere. "No," he said bru-

THEIMMIGRATIONCENTRE

HEALTH CORNER

A div¡sion of Lane Migration Practitioners Ltd."The one who guarantee âpproval."

Su¡|e3715, Sun Hung Kai Centre,30 HarbourFoad, Wahchai, Hoñ!¡ Kong

Mr. Fìoyce Lane D¡p Law (Oxford), Jur¡st.

CHIEF CONSULTANT

0 years in lce House A migration professional who

Street. ln the four decades the FCC has been in Hong Kong it has had many homes - Sutherland House and 414 Conduit Road just to name two of the more

guarantees success.

The lmm¡grat¡on Centre offers you expert adv¡ce and ass¡stance to ensure your successful immigration applicat¡on from Hong Kong, Taiwan, ph¡l¡ppines, Mâcau and

popular and well known locations.

The job of finding a new home for the FCC was left to Donald Wise back in 1980 (See story opposite).

China.

Under the guidance of À4r Royce Lane, res¡dent of Hong Kong, Chief Migration Consultant and former Government Offic¡al (para legal posit¡on), the lmmigration Centre has an unbroken record of success. From Austral¡a to New Zealand, Canada to Amer¡ca, the centre's clients are reap¡ng the rewards of their new l¡ves The Centre also handle Hong Kong Visa cases as well.

The lmmigration Centre offers a "Certif icate of Guaranteed Approval',,

One site that had been suggested as an alternative to Sutherland House was the Öld officers' mess opposite the Hilton. The then Governor, Sir Murray Maclehose (now Lord Maclehose) was approached by Wise only to be told that the site was worth at least $600 million to the Government. The Governor told Wise: "l'm sure something will come up."

With time fast running out the Governor contacted Wise to tell

him he had found a site in lce House Street.

As you will see from the photographs on the following pages, the FCC has come a lonþ way since then and we hope, with a little help from our friends in Government, this will not be the last

celebratory party we have in lce House Street.

Karl Wilson

thê promise is simple. No Visa, No Fee".

The newly decorated health corner is now open. The gym area has been enlarged with a brand new sauna and, for the first time, a steam bath and cold tub. You will now find in the gym a lifecycle, lifestep (stair climbing workout), treadmill and a concept ll rowing ergometre.

The health corner will be open between 7.30am and 9pm.

A massage service is also now available, by appointment only, between 1Oam and 4pm.

From f¡rst time applicants to previousty declined cases, your success is assured. Such guarantee w¡ll be underur¡tten by London rnsurers.

So how exactly can lhe lmmigrat¡on "Centre help you to make the right move ? Simply by offering a range of imm¡grat¡on seruices that ¡s unrivalled in Hong Kong..... ...Gu¡ded tours to New Zealand, Canada, Australia and America to help you make your dest¡nâtion decision 'Emigrator News'a regular, complementary publicat¡on to help keep you up to date with the ever-changing world of immigration ...Post-approval assislance, to help you establ¡sh your own business or find a challenging new job ...4 wide network of agents in each destinat¡on country for your ongoing enqu¡ries ...4 special¡sed seruice should your case go to the Appeal stage; we can lake your casethe whole way through the syslem.

For a FBEE assessment of your chances of immigration success, CALL NOW TEL: (852\827-701'l Fax: (852) 827-4227 or wr¡te to The lmm¡gration Centre, A D¡v¡sion of Lane Migration Practitioners Limited, P.O. Box 25334, Harbour Building post Ofice, Hong Kong.

CALL NOW i 8277011 After office hours :8119567 or 8222009 THECORRESPONDENT MARCH 1992

3

be hard to put a price on the harbour view

from the men's loo, its present international standing and reputation..." At this point I was summarily interrupted.

"Well, I can put a price on it and it is

Sutherland House and its famous Loo with a view tally, "l don't lke to be associated with failure and you are never going to raise enough money to find a new home for the

club."

So here I was, counting up the many kindsof four-lettermen lthought Holbeche was, when in came John Airey, a banker.

Knowing my problem, he looked out of the window and asked : "Have you ever considered the old officers' mess opposite the Hilton hotel ?"

This building faced north to where

I

in front of more elegant models which filled the carpark sweeping up to the peak

tram station.

I said to Airey: "Yes, I have thought about offering to pay a peppercorn rent for it in exchange for being allowed to maintain the building in sufficient elegance to silence the environmentalists" (who were very noisy at that time).

A GEM OF AN IDEA Airey and I liked the idea more and

A $600M|LL|ON G|FT ?

For six weeks there was silence. And then, I got a telephone call from the skyhigh governor to my office. "Donald, " he

building worth $600 million."

Maclehose (now Lord Maclehose) that

few low-watt bulbs burned without shades from wires falling from the ceiling, there was little sign of human life inside the building and its private cupric were only a handful of decrepit second hand bangers

evening, enclosing a supporting note from Derek Davies (editor of lhe Far Eastern

flannelling was needed.

"Well, Sir...," I starled. "thanks to Dick Hughes and other writers, the FCC is now perhaps the most talked about journalists' club there is, as renowned as Tokyo's or Washington's. ln fact it would

4

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

I

I

I

said, " I have read your letter and I take it

more as we discussed it and I was galvanised into taking action. I wrote a letter to then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray

Here was our Club in dire straits,

NO FAVOURITISM

I

to mean that you want me to give you a

was. lt was on the opposite side of Garden Road to the Hilton and occupied the frontage on the tram lines. lt had always seemed grossly under utilised to me; a

Economic Review) who sometimes had MM's ear.

certainly not$600 million,"said MM. Then, after a long pause, he added:"But, l've got something else in mind for you. I'll let you know when it becomes definite."

wrote, explaining the obvious difficulty of raising money from a membership of (basically) transients. Could we take the old mess over and keep it in good shape in return for a nominal rent ?

Hong Kong or greenbacks, it seemed a

huge sum to me and I felt that much

I

The rest of the story is already well known. The original ice house was being used as a godown for.Hongkong Land's old airconditioners and cars and the Land people did not like the idea of having to get out. But MM had said that it was to be ours and so it came about. We were offered a lease for five years at the going commercial rate -- no favouritism over the rent. But the Government gave us a handsome loan to cope with the conversion work that had to be done on the building.

This was in the hands of Mike Keats and he was responsible entirely for the new Club house.

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

Alcohotics Synonymous

,,TRUST DHL

Not quite a club within a club, Alcoholics Synonymous has had a long association with the FCC as veteran BBC Correspondent Anthony Lawrence explains ven the name of the group -fJ H , you couro narory cat rr a cruo --L.l L misteading. tt has inctuded

meeting. This was the basic reason for the foundation of the club."

An early secretary was Bud Merick, Hong Kong correspondent in the 1960s for United Press lnternational. The charter he wrote reflects his appreciation of liquor and succinct and uncompromising style. The aims are defined as follows: (a) To act as a means of gathering its members together at appointed times and places for the purpose of drinking beverages of alcoholic content. (b) To promote thè relief of hangovers acquired during the 24 hours preceding

some dedicated drinkers but is nowadays seen more as a miscellaneous bunch

of some 15 citizens plus invited guests, who get together at lunch-time on Saturdays to enjoy gossip and shop{alk, with liquor as encouragement rather than the raison d'etre.

Foreign correspondents as well as local journalists have figured impodantly in the membership. lt enjoys the hospitality of the Foreign Correspondents' Club, where it meets in an upstairs room.

Somewhere in the rules it is laid down

meetings.

(c) To encourage members who by

that the membership be limited to 16 (later changed to 18) but this is mislead-

accident have not acquired the above

ing. Nowadays some members enjoy active

and some irregular status. And sometimes an absent member, his face only vaguely remembered, makes an unexpected reappearance and wants to know what's been happening here in the five or six years he's been away.

Alcoholics Synonymous was founded on Guy Fawkes Day,Sth November 1 955, in Jack Conder's Bar, centrally situated in an alleyway off Queen's Road, behind the Shell House. Jack Conder, a large amiable man known as Hong kong's foremost publican, had served in the Shanghai police force as a young man fresh out from England. Later he joined Butterfield and Swire. When Vichy took over the

French concession in Shanghai Jack organised the defection of a least 500 crew members from French ships and smuggled them out to Hong Kong in Butterfield and Swire tugs, under the guns and binoculars of Japanese naval craft. Later he was interned in the Japanese prison camp at Lunghua but escaped and, after a journey of 1 ,200 miles, reached friendly territory. Then he became a paratrooper and ended his service in Hong Kong, to open up his bar and provide a home for Alcoholics Synony-

6

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

Anthony Lawrence mous, of which he was the first secretary-

treasurer.

An early memberwas Richard Hughes, Far East Correspondent for the Times of London, loved by all who knew him and a great friend of Conder's. The rest were businessmen, plus a couple of diplomats and a lawyer. All were habitues of Conder's bar where the beer menu, in a decorated board behind the counter, was said to contain every known brand in lhe world. They used to shake dice for drinks.

According to an account by regular attender Captain Kim Babb, formerly of the United States Navy, "There were several who believed that the dice were not at-

tuned to their limited resources and that they were paying, overthe years, a higher proportion of the bar bills than was to be reasonably expected or desired. So they agreed to found an organisation, dedicated to alleviating the cares of the past week, but with built-in protection for the less successful gamblers. They decided to stick one member with the bill for the drinks for the group, at each Saturday

malady to offer consolation to those who have done so.

"There is no initiation ceremony," the writer lan Fleming recorded after a visit as Dick Hughes'guest, "that prospective members had to drink 16 bottles of beer in a rew." He was falsely briefed by Merick in an exalted mood. ln fact new members are proposed informally and, if no objections are raised, they automatically become regulars.

The Club has shown peculiar powers of survival. Some new members leave quite soon, finding the atmosphere alien to their Weltanschauung; but their places are soon filled. ln the past, membership has included newsmen, diplomats, busi-

nessmen, government servants and pensioners. Guests were invited from earliest days and, from the time that records were regularly kept, more than 500 visitors' names have been inscribed.

Richard Hughes, who died in January, 1984 was the moving spirit of the meetings in the 1970s and early 1980s; sessions were lively and prolonged. He had

the good conversationalist's gift of wit

A

BREAK

I"

All thot time you

spent chosing

lole deliveries ond unhelpful couriers

-

forget it.

The time you spent wonying

whether your goods would get there

ot oll

-

forgel

it.

When you lrusl DHL with oll those

urgent ond importont porcels you get

o wony free pockoge in

relurn.

There's 24 hour door

lo

door

pick up every single doy of the yeoç speedy customs cleoronce, on-time performonce, computerised trocking ond, ofter 19 yeors first closs service in Hong Kong, lhe reossuronce thot youle

deoling with lhe most experienced oir express compony

to be

found.

And with more lhon 1,000 offices

in over

188 counlr¡es,

you con

eosy. Wherever it's going,

itt

resl

going

to get there.

Give yourself

o breok. Coll DHL

now on 7ó58lll.

Do

it right fie first time,

without spite and teasing combined

:EnO,Æ,_ Continued page

I

with humour. Captain Babb was a digni-

day. Then there were diplomats, govern-

relaxed conversation overglasses of good

fied and solid presence. Bob Drummond

ment officials. Now the atmosphere is more informal and pragmatic, possibly

wine. At times it has seemed that Alco-

closer to Hong Kong life. There are lawyers, journalists, a cartoonist. Writers include Austin Coates who attends regu-

and die, as members found it too inconvenient to get to the Saturday morning

delighted with reminiscences of old Peking. A memorable secretary-treasurer was Eddie Tseng, Nationalist journalist and spokesman; he would spar verbally with Stephen Chou who ran a public relations firm and was unique as an A.S. member in that he was allergic to alcohol, though his conversation without it was champagne-lively enough. ln the earlier days the membership was often a more direct reflection of the Hong Kong establishment than it is to-

larly when he's in town. A bar owner from

Lan Kwai Fung is informative on aspects

of night life. Hari Bedi is consulted

on

business management. Accountant Jeremy Barr keeps the books.

Hong Kong has long ceased to be a place of leisurely colonialism. The feverish tensions of working life militate against

holics Synonymous must inevitably wither

sessions. But then stalwarts have returned from leave or vigorous new members have joined and the club has taken on a new lease of life.

As Jim Babb once wrote: "Alcoholics Synonymous is an institution that would be sorely missed, at least by its members, if it should ever become victim of the change and shift of Hong Kong life."

The Presidential sweets as it 10 years ago already ?

Ten years since we puffed up lce House Street to meander in wonder through the new FCC prem-

Ted Thomøs, a long-standing member of the FCC, give his verdict on the Presidents.

ises and marvel at our new Clubhouse. A 1OO-year-old building, which made it older

even his religion His successor, Hubert Van Es, added colour and a whole new lexicon to the language of Shakespeare and Milton to the confusion of visiting matrons. Because of his ability to stand at the bar for !

most of the day, many have unjustly suggested that he was a secret agent for

8

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

with the illness that laid him low, still came as a shock to all of us. He is sadly missed.

Philip Bowring, of the Far Eastern Economic Review brought order to our

than most of the members, a suitably grandiose design and a bar that has since become a mecca for every freeloading drunk in town on Friday nights.

The man behind it all, and the man to whom we must all doff an appreciative titfer was the elegant and most highly respected correspondent ever to venture abroad -- Donald'Wise. I was a Wise fan long before I came to Hong Kong, reading his finely-crafted dispatches from this or that exotic location and marvelling at what seemed to be a superbly adventurous lifestyle of splendour and adventure.

And when we finally met he was in no way a disappointment. Tall, tanned and handsome, yes, but it was those impossibly snug trousers that set him apart from the rest. One wag observed that Donald's trousers were so tight that you could not only tell his sex from the silhouette but

fond memory, who was, in a strictly nonpolitical sense, a party man. His death, after a courageous and inspiring battle

Dutch intelligence. A contradiction in terms that will be readily conf irmed by everyone who has ever had to spend more than 24 hours in the Netherlands.

Next up, Michael Keats of UPI was a good, go-go type president who took his duties very seriously and indeed spent so much time supervising the drinkers at the main bar, (a particularly onerous part of the job -- but as he often said -- "somebody's gotta do it"), that I began to wonder if he lived there.

He was followed by Eddie Tseng, of

chaotic financial systems, screwed down on membership and generally smartened up the act. Although l've always been concerned at the dispropor.tionate influence that hhe Reviewhas brought to bear on the affairs of the FCC, Philip was the right man for the job at the right time.

Jim Biddulph of the BBC was next, and of course broadcasters are always the very best people you'll find in the world of journalism. The reign of Jim, following as it did on the austere reign of Philip, was a bit like the Cavaliers winning an election against the Roundheads. Serious questions were raised concerning the steady increase of food and beverage prices, and Jim himself tried manfully to bring to the Club all the advantages of the economy of scale by processing as much as possible of the B side of the F & B product as possible. (As a result his drinking hand developed a curious tremor that has become his trademark).

Following Jim, the cunning little Derek Davies moved into the chair.(1987-88) (What did I tell you about the influence of Continued page

l0

GLOBAL PERSONAL COMMUNIGAT¡ONS FOR HONG KONG ÂND THE WORLD

o tr o TI F

IE ()

II

g 5

Personal Communications

Network (PGN|

Paging

Mobile Data Trunked Mobile Radio

lnternational Value.Added Network Services Information Services Satellite Systems & Sewices Broadcast Radio

We work towards a future where people are

E E

Telepoint (GT2l Gellular Telephone

Hutchison Telecom,s vision is a simple one.

o

o F

able to communicate w¡th each other.

o

E

I

L -o

Io

=

z

Whenever they want. Wherever they want.

ff ll

Hutchison Telecom

Telecommunications from Hutchison Whampoa Limited

___-TTFi-F

lhe Review?) lt seemed to me that during his term in office Derek spent more of his time at the Club than he ever had previously, but that's the nature of the job, and as I've said before, somebody has to do it.

I have to confess that I wasn't very much aware of the 1989 (Sinan Fisek) and 1990 (Paul Bayfield) presidents, but the fact that they were not soundly and regularly cursed at the bar by the serious drinkers indicates that they must have been doing something right. For it was about this time that a period of relative peace came to the milling throng on the

ground floor. Certainly plans laid at that time for refurbishment, (which begs the questions as to whether the FCC was

ever furbished in the first place) and the

date, but with the Austrian Food Festival

eventual improvements in the various

underthe guidance of the avuncular Heinz Grabner, promising even better.

Looking backontheprocession of saintly newsmen who have given a great deal of time and effort, and probably a portion of their livers and a few million brain cells, to making the Club the fine establishment that it is today it would be remiss of us not to join hands in a thunderous round of applause for those who endured criticism, hostility and outright abuse to make it all come together.

menus, speak of some diligent long{erm planning and far-sightedness which has not always been a feature in the administration of the FCC. But if we are to nominate a golden era in the Club's fortune it must certainly fall tothe most recent incumbent, Peter Seidlitz

under whose keen control the Club has blossomed into a major social hub with good food at reasonable prices and drinks

that are priced at far less than half the cost demanded in the cruel world outside.

The increase of special food promotions is remarkable with the French Food and Wine Festival probably the best to

..-'l_-'-.

PROSPERITYI

Ted Thomas joined the FCC in the mid1950s when it was located in Conduit Road.

ASIAN A

A rare picture indeed..... standing (L-R) Philip Bowring (1985), Jim Biddulph (1986)' Mike Keats (1983)' Hubert Van Es (1982), Donald Wise (1980-81), Club manager Heinz Grabner and wife and Derek Davies (1987-88)

GROWTH

WHOLE WORLD

OF

INDOSUEZ ASIA INV

ENT

1992

OPPORTUNITIES

SERVICES

ND

SUITE 2606 - 2608, ONE EXCHANGE SQUARE, HONG KONG

TEL: (852) 521 4231

10 THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

FUND

.

FAX: (852\ 868 1447

CONTACT: MISS ALICE LEUNG

PHOTO FILE Sir Edward Youde, the then Governor of Hong Kong offícially opened the Club on November 9, 1982. Many of the faces in the following photographs øre still familiar to members ..... even Hubert Vøn Es who was President at the time.

Sir Edward Opens Club

The Governor is first to sign the visitors book

Sir Edward, Hubert Van Es and Howard Coats (First Vice President)

12 THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

TIIE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

13

Reflections of Lord Macl,ehose ord Maclehose remembers vividly the negotiations that went on the secure the lce House

Street site for the FCC. "How could I forget," he recalled during an informal dlnner hosted by the Club on Friday, April 3.

"As I look around the bullding tonight I am tremendously glad it has worked out." ln an after-dinner speech, Lord Maclehose covered a wide range of subjects and fielded a number of curly questions.

The following edited excerpts are taken from what he had to say.

On relations with the press I

was tremendously impressed by some-

thing General Eisenhoweroncesaidwhen

asked aboutthe right relationship he should

over China - like ink on blotting paper.

And this is working. But like many things

have with the press. Eisenhower said that if they could be trusted he treated them as honourary members of staff.

there are problems but they are being

On developments in China

On democracy in Hong Kong

Very impressed with what I have seenin southern China and the economic zones.

The question of democracy for Hong

What is happening in the south is just another part of Deng's open-door policy. lf it is a success in Southern China it will have a good chance of success in Hong Kong. The evidence is everywhere that it is succeeding.

I remember the mayor of Shenzhen saying to me in 1980 that Shenzhen was a sort of technical college for China in that what was happening there will spread all

overcome.

Kong was not part of the original document (Joint Declaration). As I understand it there were to be no directly elected seats to Legco until after 1997. This was something China wanted to give to the people of Hong Kong.

I suppose you could ask why there was

no attempt to introduce representative government when I was Governor of indeed when David Trench was Governor

ClÈlilñftS LIMITED

Rm 4406 ,44rh Ftoor Hopewell Centrc 183 Queens Road East

Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: 522 1 151/840 0028

Fax:849 7476

Lord Maclehose 14 THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

DURING THD MONTH OF APRIL YOU CAN EN.IqY A SELECTION OF FINE AUSTRALIAN WINI'S AT 1'HIì CLUB SUPPLIED IIY FORCE 8 CIILLARS.

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

15

Well, there are two reasons. First, there

was a fear that any move towards an elected system would only result in the Kuomintang on one side and the communists on the other. We felt it would produce a situation totally irrelevant to the interests of the people of Hong Kong and that it would be bad for confidence.

What saddens me a little about the present situation. ls the result we feared before. lnstead of the Kuomintang versus communists there are pro-Peking versus anti-Peking. I don't think it is doing much for the confidence and future of Hong Kong's 6 million people.

Whoever is chosen, it will have to be someone known to the people of Hong Kong, someone they can trust and someone both London and Peking have confi-

dence in. Whether that person comes from the diplomatic or political ranks is

One country, two systems The joint declaration was a great act of statesmanship on the parl of the Chinese. And it assumed no interference by Hong Kong in China and a minimum of Chinese influence in Hong Kong.

I think this was a fair assumption on

their part because it was the political

So many people have gained from the

basis from which Hong Kong was built.

The Kuomintang were not allowed to act against China from Hong Kong. lf that

ing back. The open-door policy is the key

to Hong Kong's future.

had happened there would have been no Hong Kong.

As a result Hong Kong has not been On the new Governor

Who ever is chosen to succeed Lord Wilson will have a difficult time. He'll have the same problems as Lord Wilson but they will intensify as 1997 approaches.

nothing to do with such people.

On the need for a deputy governor

not important.

On the post-Deng era

open-door policy. There can be no turn-

for the people of Hong Kong are not helping by talking about overthrowing government of China. China will have

perceived as a threat to China. The security question has always worried China. lt fought a hard civil war which has still to be completed. Also there is tremendous dit ficulty keeping such a huge country together. Anyone wishing to do something

Didn't need one when I was Governor but maybe the situation has changed.

On the future of Hong Kong

Look around you and see for yourself.

People can work politics here without antagonising China. Because, if that happens, business becomes uncertain. lf that happens, the place will fall like a pack of cards. Hong Kong was built on

money, money built up business and business stays here because of confi-

dence. But this all depends on stable relationship with China. Fact of life. That relationship is something, in my mind at least, which should be played with.

And on Lord Wilson

He has done

a

splend job under ex-

tremely difficult circumstances.

Sole AgenÈ:

*sl I 16 THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

Llrië1ïÉft 1*,ì.6#+'t'6ü1-p€

2 Ke RNHTLL

r¡ËÌqû ,CW:E.

1 IiûRNH'LL FÛÂ0,

i992

Ã+

TREMIS CO", LTf}.

ã;+;ÊËâ Êr11

,+

ÏEL

€âÉ

¡'4X

Êggt4

ïÀI(OO, NÕNû .

885'=1fj1

: tÐÊ-5?¿5

I{ONG

--f,q

Lord Wilson and the historic truth Lord Wilson has always been a welcome guest at the FCC and his appearance on Wednesday, March 23 , was no exception.In what was probably his last speaking engagement ar the Club, befor^e stepping down as Governor later this year , Lord Wilson spoke openly and fi'ankly about his five years in ffice . H e also expressed his desire to see the Club's premises in lce House Street preserved as an historic building. The following is an edited transcript of what the Governor said.

volunteer. Something like 16,000 have gone back.

We have an arrangement for returning people who arrived here recently a

efore coming here today I was going through some papers and came across a quote from Mae West which said "lt's better to be looked over than overlooked."

As a Government we are used to being looked over and it's something we accept. We expect people to gnaw over various bones of what the Government is doing.

-

quick turnaround arrangement for people who are not refugees.

We are also trying to get in place an arrangement for sending back people

who arrived here before October last

One of the things that strikes me as look back over the five years that I have been Governor is the number of storms we have been through. Storms we have I

not only weathered but su rvived and come out well.

Let me just give you a few of these,

because peoples' memories tend to be rather shorl

-

even perhaps some distin-

guished old correspondents, although I am sure your memories are better than most.

Take for instance one that hit me in the first year I was Governor - the stock exchange crisis that resulted from the crash in October 1987. lt was a very dramatic and difficult period. We were effected by factors outside Hong Kong's control. And the market closed. As a result, it showed up all sorts of problems in our market.

Well, look at where we are today. We had a review of the whole process of the stock exchange and introduced some sweeping reforms. Those reforms are now working.

A new settlement system is expected to come into operation soon giving us the sort of modern, up-to-date market Hong Kong ought to have. And look at the market itself. Compare it to other mar-

18

Lord Wilson

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

kets around the world. Hong Kong is now over the 5,000 barrier. Since December last year our market has gone up some 17 percent compared to Tokyo which is down 9.5 percent, London up 1 percent and New York up just 3.5 percent.

Not only have we recovered from 1987, we have put measures in place and for a variety of reasons our market is doing extremely well.

Take another storm, one that has been on my mind for the last years and indeed, very much on my mind when I was here as political adviser in the late 1970s and early 80s -- Vietnamese refugees.

Think back to 1989 when over 34,000,

Vietnamese arrived here. We haven't solved the problem but we are making

year.

All this doesn't solve the problem. We still have too many people in the camps.

Far too many young people and children who have spent years there. lt is a situation, frankly, I find horrifying.

But what has been the result of all our efforts? Well, so far this year we have had just seven people arriving from Vietnam. ln the same time we have returned 2,500 volunteers to Vietnam. lt is a prob-

lem which has been bedeviling us for years but we are making some progress.

Take another storm, 1989. Confidence here in Hong Kong was badly hurt by events in May and June of that year.

Hong Kong was more gloomy during that

period than at any other time I can remember.

Links between China and countries around the world were suspended and our own relations were somewhat difficult. Confidence in Hong Kong was ex-

tremely low and there was immense mistrust building up on both sides.

But where are we today? China has re-

established its contacts with the world and our contacts are more frequent. We are back dealing with problems in a much

One example of the way things have changed is the airport. Our negotiations with China were very difficult but in the end we came away with an agreement which I believe is workable and sensible.

It is an agreement which enables us to get on with a project which is of enormous

importance to the long-term future of Hong Kong and indeed Southern China.

Forthe statistically minded, we have shifted some 2 million cubic metres of earth from the airport site at Chek Lap Kok and 10 million cubic metres at the West Kowloon reclamation.

So, as you can see there are a number

of crises we have been faced with over the past years - crises which we have been able to deal with and overcome.

But there are many other things we, as in.

a Government, have been involved

Things which contribute to the development of Hong Kong and are as equally

progress in dealing with it.

more sensible way than before and con-

We now have an arrangement for sending back to Vietnam people who

fidence here in Hong Kong has been

important to those which I have just mentioned. But they tend to be over-

restored.

looked.

Take housing. Housing is enormously important to most people in Hong Kong.

Something like half the population of Hong Kong live in housing subsidised by the public purse.

Since I came here in April 1987 something like 227,000 apanments have been built in the public sector. That is, 130 new flats every day, seven days a week. Plans

are to build 400,000 more by the yĂŠar 2000.

Take teftiary education. When I came here the number of students receiving degrees was 5,000. Now it is 10,000 and will go up to 15,000 by 1995 some 18 percent of the 1 7 to 1 8 year age group.

Take health. ln 1987 hospital beds numbered 12,500. ln 1992 there will be over 22,000 with more planned for the future.

Take the environment, something very close to my own heart. ln 1987 spending on the environment totalled HK$429 million. ln 1991-92 it was HK$2.9 billion. ln 1992-93 it will go up to HK$4.1 billion.

-

These are just some of the things that are going on all the time. The point is, if

we are going to be successful in the future the economy is crucial.

Hong Kong does not do too badly. Our average growth rate over the past five years has been 5.7 percent. Per capita GDP in that tÂĄme has gone up 16 percent in real terms. Our per capital GDP stands at something like US$14,000.

Our trade with China has developed enormously. ln the past five years trade has gone up by 140 percent.

Those of you who have been to Southern China recently will understand when I say that Southern China will play a fundamental part in the future of Hong Kong.

ln Guangdong recently I was amazed by the development. What struck me was

the extent of the interlinking between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Not just factories managed by managers from Hong Kong on the joint ventures but the

fact that nearly all the communications THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992 19

links with the outside world come through

Hong Kong.

Guangdong has been growing enormously fast. lts growth over the last five years has averaged around 13 percent a year faster than our own.

Hong Kong's involvement is enormous 80 percent of all external investment in Guangdong comes through Hong Kong, 3 million workers are working for Hong Kong enterprises and some 19,000 enterprises are working on projects for Hong Kong companies. There is an enormous

-

-

interchange between us.

As I look to the future I find great encouragement from what is happening in Guangdong and our role in it.

Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta are one of the fastest growing areas in the world at present and Hong Kong is at

the centre.

though it is not an easy one. Here you have two completely different systems with different backgrounds, different histories, lots of suspicion that has grown over the years and mistrust.

There is a terrific ability on both sides to

believe that what the other side does is infinitely subtle and clever and has an ulterior motive. I know my side and I know

that it is not true.

Those who devise marvellous calculations about how subtle the Hong Kong Government is fail to realise that quite often we just muddle through and that we

have not worked things out in

a very

subtle way.

I suspect we do the same with China and we work out marvellous theories about why such and such a thing was done at such and such a time. Probably we're wrong as well and they have ex-

But what of our relationship with China?

actly the same sort of problems as we do.

Well, we have a close relationship al-

We have to work out that inherited

_rHE

ZOO

Think about

suspicion on both sides. ln 1997 sovereignty over Hong Kong will be transferred to China. We can not avoid that historical

fact and we have to work within that framework.

What I would like to see is more efforl going to break down those barriers that exist between us. This can be done by encouraging a greater interchange between people, including government people. Last year for example we had 145 official government groups go into China. I would like to see more Chinese government people coming down here to see how we do things. Over the past few months I have welcomed five provincial governors. I would like to see more come down, on an informal basis, to see the place for themselves.

We have to work to build that relationship and to preserve the future of Hong Kong.

BY

F.C.C. members represent one of the highest earning, per-capita, consumer spending groups iñ Hong Kong.

Il4Page

ll2Page

Full Page

Colour ads :

IlKfiI,]42

HK$3,484

HK$5,808

Black & White:

HK$1,452

HK$2,904

HK$4,840

Type

INNER CIRCLE : HK$600 (Minimum 6 inserrions)

ART}IUR HACKER

THERE IS NO AUDITING FROAA THE UNITED KINGDoA¡t./

CRYOVAC l'itcÀrrgin g/illrrrkt.l irrg Sr slr.rrrs

l'or lr <orrr¡tk,lt' r:rrrgt.ol r¡rr;rlilr

sltr irrk ¡lrr kagirrg rlrl('tiitls :ultl r¡llrr hirrt.rt,

lir lrlslr lìrorl lrrrrl rlis¡rl:rr ¡rrorltrt ls.

( rtl U

{ I

20

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

it!

( onlit( I : ( rt t¡\ ¡t(. I,r¡xlrrt I l,int \1' I{. (l¡:rte I llorrg horrgl I trl I 2 l.Ì/1. , \1 ilsor¡ I lor¡st, l()-f7 \.1 t rrrllur¡¡¡ Slr rr.l ( t'nlr¡rl, I lorrg horrg l r.l: 5l.l.llr)t l,¡rr: I,il0{-[.t

LONDON PROPERTY

- KENSINGTON GREEN \ØB -

CENTRAL LONDON'S FINEST NE\ø INVESTMENT

INCREASII{G NUMBER OF LOAN OPTIONS ATTRACT MORE BUYERS

Kensington Green. The finest new

GueR¡i.ltrno

vALUE

If you are looking for a substantial

residential address in London.

Imagine 19th century architecture at its most gracious. Supremely elegant,

property, whether for residential or invesrment purposes, you

will not

be disappointed.

Two and three bedroom apârtments

fashionable, exclusive.

have at least

ii

2 bathrooms and all bedrooms

and reception rooms âre generously propor-

ith the United Kingdom still in recession, and property prices remaining very reasonable, many people

Samuel offers a range which includes traditional repayment, interest only, endowment linked, savings plan and a recently

in Hong Kong are asking the question, is now the right time to buy in the UK ?

introduced option linked to pension plans. "The aim is to provide a repayment route which is the most appropriate given the borrowers' personal circumstances," he says.

Judging by the upsurge in interest in mortgage finance, the

tioned. The one bedroom aparrments

perfect pied-à-terres. Car parking is available underground

There are around 30 banks in Hong Kong offering loans against the security of properties situated overseas. Some have seen a rapid expansion of business in recent years. And the growing array ol products in the marketplace is largely aimed at paving the way for those wanting to purchase property in Canada, Australia, the UK, US and New Zealand - the favourite destinations for resettlement from Hong Kong.

4 bathrooms, private walled gardens

Since many borrowers are buying for investment purposes

they are searching for a wider range of options such as currency switching, flexible repayment schedules, and redrawing opportunities. With such a wide range on offer, choosing the right mortgage can be just as difficult and as crucial as selecting the property itself.

Barry Lea says that he regularly meets potential clients who are not sure where their principal source of income will be generated, and hence the currency in which it will be denominated. Most are trying to avoid the financial handcuffs that so often accompany a typical retail loan arrangement as offered

by UK building societies, and they are looking for more imaginative packages affording greater flexibility.

Many borrowers expect a multi-currency option which will allow them to finance in one currency today, with the opportunity to convert into another major currency at a later date.

"The days are long gone when a borrower had no say in the choice of repayment method," says Mr Lea, adding that Hill

TIJE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

Qunlnv

You

Craftsmanship and attention to detail

is evident throughout Kensington

Green.

joinery. Marble fireplaces and

nâturâ1

granite worktops. Hand painted panels

the

knowledge that no precaution has been

overlooked. An estate manager. A resident head porrer.

Video

enrr),

phones. TV surveillance. This ìs just a part of the security

arrangements.

mahogany and wrought iron.

Imagine ân unusually setting,

in whicb architects,

spacious

'Wu¡,n¡

designers and

full

Once a buyer has bought his first overseas propeny he may decide to expand his portfolio, in which case he will come across a new term - cross-border collateral - which is creeping into local mortgage terminology. A client may, for example, own a prop-

give their talents

erty in London and wish to combine the security of that and a

unity' can be used in good faith.

existing mortgage. This additional loan is treated as a further charge against the property, and is usually fast and easy to

can rest secure i n

and brass door furniture. Brick, stucco,

landscape gardeners have been allowed to

Turs rs KENSTNGToN

To FIND our MoRE

ïleuProNS

rein.

Telephone

GREEN

or fax David Coreth for further

deteils about this rare opportuniry.

For once, the phrase'a rare opport-

Tel:5262711

These

houses and apartments are undoubtedly

Fax: 526 6687

at Room 702, Ruttonjee House

âmongst the finest in London.

11 Duddell Streer, Central

The kitchens feature furniture

by

Bulthaup, appliances by Atag, floors

by

Amtico, and each entrance hall has its own

(^

unìque marble floor.

arrange.

A SPECIAL REPORT By Ken Barrett 22

connecttons.

Period detailing in the houses. Coving and

Another more commonly sought add-on loan facility is the redrawing option whereby a client seeks additional funds from a bank which is already holding his properly as security for an

well placed for road and public rrânsport

and

Spcunrrv

carrying redemption penalties which, in some cases, may run to the equivalent of three months' interest - a not surprising trend when it is considered that so many house buyers these days are investors rather than immediate own-use buyers.

new acquisition in, say, Melbourne or Vancouver. ln this way he could raise a loan equivalent to a possible 75 Vancouver. ln this way he could raise a loan equivalent to a possible 75 percent of the combined value which, in some cases could be equal to the full purchase price of the new property. ln other words, he has achieved 100 percent financing.

superbJy

garaging for two cars.

Borrowers are increasingly shying away from moftgages

The general Hong Kong desire for everything to be done yesterday has crept into the world of overseas property finance, with would-be borrowers expecting at least a decision in principle within a couple of days of submitting an application.

It has also become common practice for intending buyers to secure pre-arranged finance, also known as an advance credit line. ln this way they can safely borrow, before going abroad to look at property.

Good shops are nearby. So are good

schools. And of course you âre

The houses have 5 or 6 bedrooms, 3 or

answer is yet, says Barry Lea, director of marketing at Hill Samuel's Hong Kong office. But it's not just lhe pricing situation which is causing people to become more interested, it is the fact that the financing alternatives available are themselves becoming more numerous and attractive.

make

Loc¡,rroN Kensington Green offers the advantages

of Central London without the hustle bustle.

A residential development by St. Mary Abbots Ltd.,

a

and

Y KENSINGToN Gn¡¡N LONDON

WA

joint veoture between Taylor'Woodrow Capiral Developmenrs Ltcl. and Mitsui Kensetsu (UK) t rd.

LONDON PROPERTY

LONDON PROPERTY

How do I begin?

"We believe that pr¡me central London property should prove

London's Falling Prices A Bargain For lnvestors

to be a good investment in the longer term, especially if it

Leading estate agents Savills, who have an office in Hong Kong, say that the price of prime residential property in London fell again during the last quarter of 1991 , and that values are

now, broadly speaking, "back to where they were early

purchased at the current low prices," says Sally King.

The Mortgage Maze

in

1987."

Although this is bad news for current property owners in the

city, it does open up the opportunity for bargain hunting for those who are now considering purchase. lnteresting variations have occurred in the pattern of price falls in different locations and for different types of property, says Savills' Sally King. The relatively peripheral location of Docklands, for example, has seen a larger price fall which began earlier than in other parts of London. This has resulted in the Savills Docklands lndex now standing al 27.4 percent lower than it did in June 1988.

Similarly, the Hampstead, St John's Wood and Regents Park areas have suffered more than core areas such as Mayfair,

Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington and Chelsea, with Hampstead having suffered a drop o'f 22.3 percent since 1989, compared to the 16.6 percent fall for the prime core areas.

Savills research reveals that flats have suffered worse falls than house - 20.8 percent across the board, compared to 15.4 percent.

The outlook for 1992 for the prime, central London market does not look particularly rosy, says Sally King. The prime central London residential market will probably be almost exclusively dependent on sparse activity from foreigners and investors during the first half of this year and it seems likely that values will continue to fall during this time.

"Even if the economy does pick up in the latter half of 1992, it is very difficult to imagine a scenario where there will be any substantial growth in the prime market," she says. "At best, we would expect growth at, or around, the rate of inflation during the whole of 1992, and there is the distinct possibility of falls."

ln the longer term, much will depend on the nature of any economic recovery, and the colour of the new government after the election. However, the old adage about buying when the market is low would appear to hold good for purchasing property in London.

Contact one of the UK estate agencies who have offices in Hong Kong, and discuss with them the kind of property and the price range in which you are interested. Ask them to recommend an investment consultant who is skilled in putting together mortgage packages for UK property - this can save a good deal of time hunting for one yourself.

is

Alternatively, approach one of the merchant banks. Hill

With the range of loan options now available, these are the sor.t of queslions a borrowers should be asking:

Samuel and Hambros are amongst those which offer complete packages for overseas property purchase, and it is worth dis-

cussing with their advisors before making a final choice. Remember that they are acting in a competitive climate, and that

How much should I borrow?

with the depressed UK economy, people like you are especially welcome.

Never take if for granted that the amount the bank is willing to lend you is the amount you can afford to repay. Always calculate monthly cash-flows in advance and remember that interest rates rise as well as fall. Remember also the unexpected - cahsflow projections are easily upset. ln the case of a residential purchase for investment purposes it is not wise to rely upon anticipated rental income alone to service the loan.

What interest will I pay?

Would-be borrowers in Hong Kong unfortunately do not have any of the protection afforded by the UK's Consumer Credit Act. And since there is no requirement to state the annual percentage rate of interest in mortgage advertising there is no legal yardstick in making interest rate comparisons. A claim that a loan will cost 10 percent is not necessarily an accurate statement of the bottom-line cost, because there are a variety of ways of charging interest which will substantially affect the real cost of borrowing money. The way to approach this problem is to check what the actual repayment figure would be over a period, and then ascertain the lender's system for dealing with interest rate charges and changes.

What other costs should I look out for?

Choosing Your Currency

Sentiment Or Investment?

Generally speaking, it is wise to match the currency of your assets with that of your liabilities, in other words a UK-bases

One of the main ways of achieving a trouble-free purchase is to decide on day one whether you are purchasing a property for

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaao aO

O

]Ht]t]L]L

a

a a a a a o a a a a a a a a a a a a a

a

Most lenders charge an arrangement fee for the loan, which is either a flat fee or a percentage of the advance. Check to see if this is an up-front charge or whether it will be levied at a later stage. Then there are legal fees and a valuation fee. Watch out for interest rate penalties which are sometimes levied by UK institutions who are lending to expatriates who plan to let the property, rather than occupy it. Early redemption penalties can also be very expensive. An additional cost may take the form of life insurance to cover the amount of the loan, or indemnity insurance if you are borrowing a high percentage of the property's value and you are asked to cover the additional amount.

property and a sterling loan would match a fixed asset with the loan liability.

Many people however opt to match more liquid assets, for example savings or expected salary, with the loan - such as a UK property and a Hong Kong dollar loan.

The choice depends largely upon personal circumstances and future plans, says Tim Walsh, of Collingwood lnvestment Ltd, whose Hong Kong office advises on loans and specialises in tailoring packages for individual needs.

Mr Walsh points out that the ability to switch currencies can prove valuable later on during the loan, although the markets can change very quickly.

He adds that the way in which a loan is structured can affect the tax situation in the UK, if the property is to be let, and also that with some currencies it is possible to borrow a higher percentage of the asking price.

a

a a

PRf

OPEN

If you're thinking of buying

.

a

10

loan amount up to 1007o* competitive interest rates curency switching repayment flexibility no prepayment penalty no letting penalty advance credit line

+

. a

BANKNRS

O

GLOBAT PROPERÎY FINAI{CE For further information, please call our hot-line on 847 3091 or cómplete the coupon and send or fax it to us.

........¡¡ )€ooo To: Hill Samuel (Marketing Dept.)

N

a

residential propefiy in U. K., Canada, Australia, U. S., New ZeaIard, Portugal, Singapore or Malaysia or looking to re-finance an existing loan in one of these countries, then talk to HILL SAMUEL, the bank that offers:-

a a a a

' a"

DOOR

VATE

No two clients' mortgage needs are the same and that's why at HILL SAMUEL we provide the ultimate in highly flexible tailor-made loans to suit individual requirements.

O

a a a a a

lHE

SA\MIIU]E]L

ì

-.N

35Æ., Bank of America Tower, 12 Ha¡court Road, Hong Kong.

$

1 1

N.\

Tel: 847 3000 Fax: 868 4733

ù

NAME:

\\*-\=ñ-*\--

DAYTIME TEL.: FAX:

suhiect to credit status

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

a

a a a a a a

a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a

ADDRESS:

andlor addítional security

o a a a a

a a

FCC

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

A SPECIAL REPORT A SPECIAL REPORT 24

TIJE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

THB CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

25

LONDON PROPERTY

investment or sentiment, says Wendy Coombes of Hambro Countrywide's Hong Kong office, which publishes a useful guide to buying property in the UK. "lf you give priority to investment, this automatically restricts your choice to certain types of properties in ceftain areas and the selection process becomes very simple," she says.

Another major factor is to be totally realistic about your price range, bearing in mind that it will be your free capital together with your borrowing potential which will determine the price you can afford, and that the maximum mortgage you can obtain will be a specific multiple of your salary, usually around three times your earnrngs.

For letting and management of your property, it is advisable to use a management agency which is a registered member of the Association of Residential Letter Agents. Hambros will give you a list of these.

Agency charges vary from area to area, but are normally in the range of 12.5-17 percent of the annual rental income, and are usually deducted on a monthly basis. ln the case of absentee landlords, the agency normally expects to be enabled to conduct minor essential repairs without prior consultation.

A House ln The Country A glance through any of the glossy UK magazines which specialise in property, such as Country Life, or Savills' own magazine, revels house of great beauty, sometimes available at prices equivalent to a smallish apartment in not-particularly-fashionable parts of Hong

LONDON PROPERTY

preferred by just eight percent, and brand-new (even period style) by four percent.

command such a premium as Georgian properties, but offer good sized, family accommodation.

Modern propeny appeals more to the older buyers, says Savills, who do not want to be troubled with the repair and

When it comes to size, houses with two reception rooms, three bedrooms and two bathrooms are however generally

upkeep of period properties. Conversely, Victorian homes

acceptable to young and old alike.

appeal more to younger people, possible because they do not

Kong.

Anyone thinking of buying a UK property is therefore often dreaming of a period house in the depths of a favourite part of the countryside, possibly a listed building with a bit of history to it.

Gountryside Guide

Savills says that today's demand is for the Queen Anne, Grorgian and Regency periods, with 36 percent of buyers looking for these styles.

Location

The next most popular, Victorian/Edwardian, is preferred by 24 percent, usually younger people, followed

Home Counties

by Tudor/Elizabethen at 22 percent. Modern houses are

3-bedroom

cottage

5/6 bedroom house

Price range in pounds sterling

Hertfordshire Bedfordshire Berkshire

Surrey East Sussex

West Sussex East Kent West Kent

125,000-170,000

350,000-425,000 250,000-300,000 425,000-475,000 375,000-400,000 300,000-330,000 300,000-375,000 280,000-330,000 340,000-390,000

85,000-100,000

180,000-240,000 150,000-200,000 1 10,000-150,000 135,000-200,000 120,000-150,000 160,000-200,000

West of London Hampshire

Wiltshire Norlh Oxfordshire South Oxfordshire Gloucestershire

135,000-200,000 145,000-170,000 120,000-140,000 160,000-230,000 125,000-150,000

Avon

140,000-155,000

South Wales

100,000-150,000 130,000-160,000 135,000-155,000 130,000-150,000 110,000-140,000

Dorset

Somerset Devon Cornwall

325,000-375,000 330,000-370,000 250,000-375,000 400,000-475,000 350,000-400,000 330,000-360,000 200,000-230,000 275,000-325,000 240,000-275,000 210,000-245,000 205,000-235,000

Midlands North Bucks Nottinghamshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire

Warwickshire Shropshire Herefordshire

1

10,000-125,000 85,000-1 15,000 95,000-1 10,000

325,000-375,000 265,000-350,000 300,000-350,000 325,000-400,000 150,000-250,000 300,000-350,000 190,000-230,000 180,000-300,000

100,000-120,000 70,000- 90,000 100,000-120,000 100,000-150,000 115,000-145,000

lnformation supplied by Savills

A SPECIAL REPORT 26

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

A SPECIAL REPORT THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

27

fuír.rvr^4r\

Is there a freelance in the house 7 he Correspondent's editorial meeting was rolling along just wonderfully. After discussing at length the budget, accounts outstanding, the tender for printing and voting on the expense account, a few minutes had to be set aside for the irritating but probably necessary task of putting words between the advertisements of the next issue.

"Who'll say nice things about who, this time ?" was the question on everybody's lips, save the proofreading pedant who muttered "whom!" to unheeding ears.

The Club was by now running predictably short of people prepared to say or hear nice things about other members, this long-running theme showed signs of

Martin Barnett

petering out. "We've been doing that for 10 years now," remarked the oldest member present. "lf anyone starts lo read the magazine, they're bound to notice.

"Ten years I There's our theme for the issue," came the cry from the back row.

"Things like 'Ten Years As a Manager' 'Ten Years Behind The Bar'. 'Confes-

sions of a lv'lember' and so on. No other suggestions being forthcoming, the meeting scattered in disarray in search of peanuts, beer, and to round up the usual

_!

suspects to actually do the work. I was watching the crowd at one of these fLjnctions held in the club to celebrate upcoming disappearing acts when one of the editorial crew made a move on a member he judged to be sufficiently oiled to be receptive.

"You've been a member here for 10 years, haven't you ?"

"Yes, more in fact. I remember when..."

"Good. Would you like to write an ar-

ticle for The Correspondent on 'Ten

alo

+UQ-

x,o

Years As A Freelance'; you know, tell us how it's changed, what it was like then

and now ?"

Continued page 31

I

t

I

#.

tlwts t4nLL¿r.

IT TAKES EIGHT

28

WEEKS

TO MAKE AND IS GUARANTEED TO LAST A LIFETIME. HOW CAN YOU LOSE?

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

* pnnr¡R DUoFoLD

THE INNER CIRCLE f., Víctoria Centre, (B€hind 'Cit¡corp.' Centre) llatson Road, CauseHay Bay East, llong l(ong. t tree V3let Parking nightly r Iel.: 566.5560 Far.: 5t0-00t6 G

PLEASE PATRONISE THESE FCC SUPPORTERS

/

KOWLOON

Superb Thai

Shop 105-8,

cuisine in an

TST, Kowloon Tel :31-7O2-88

elegant setting, with a spectacular view

Ristorante

of Victoria

.H.E.R.

Harbour. What

HONG KONG Shop 132, The Mall Pacific Place 88 Queensway,

fine Itøfian fool

more could you THAI RESTAURANT

llF

Ocean Centre

ú

Wine

HongKong

Tel:86-800-86

Home of US Steaks & Live Maine I,obsters

wish for?

move away, able only to mutter "l'm sorry

you feel that way about it."

I watched the aggrieved freelance look around for lhe less dried-out bits of diarrhoea-on-a-dish which form the freelance's staple diet during the winter months at clubs and hotels across the

I

the searcher for ideas was staring, taken aback by the idea that a writer would want to be paid for working. (He himself is a salaried professional member of the media.)

"Yes, it is my Club, lam a member, and I do contribute by paying dues toward a loss-making magazine, although I don't

"Well, if that's the way you feel about it, l'm sorry I asked. I just thought that you 98 Wo On

TRIO'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE lone D7{gullor St¡oot Contml Hong Kong

would have an interesting story to tell : I've been looking around and I can't find anyone who has. been freelancing as a journalist for as long as you."

"No, nor can l. Writing for free would be a shorlcut to going out of business myself

Think about it!

F.C.C. members represent one of the highest earning, per-capita, consumer spending groups in Hong Kong.

INNER CIRCLE: HK$600 (Minimum 6 insertions)

writing -- like any other raw material -which they use for their business."

After this, the talent scout did indeed

amiability vanishing from his face at the ment¡on of work. "We don't actually pay forwriting, it's the Club m agazine.lthought you might like to contribute, seeing as you're a member of the Club : it's your club and your magazine, you know. sneaked a quick glance under cover of searching for an ashtray. As I thought,

the club members who adveftise get a free page."

GlÍ

trouble to work for corporate clients. They actually make money on written material and so are prepared to pay properly for

the freelance, all traces of drink and

suppose the printer works for free, nor do

OpenTdaysaweek.

Promenade Level, Tower 1, China Hong Kong City, Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon.

Tel: 735 8898.

I moved a bit closer so as to overhear the conversation more clearly : l've met freelances before and I could have written the script myself (if I had the lime), for the next exchange.

"How much are you paying?" asked

though, wouldn't it ? As it is I do less and less freelance writing for journals and papers these days -- freelance writing doesn't pay well enough to keep pace with an expensive city." He took a swig of wine, and looked as though he wondered why the editorial adviser hadn't moved on in search of less experienced and more gullible members. Then he took a breath

and carried on : "Most freelances find it too strenuous to keep on getting to know new editors, putting up with snubs when magazines shrink in size, getting stiffed, and writing for magazines which fold before publica-

saw him shrug at the sparse selection remaining, and gesture for a refill to his glass. I moved across and introduced myself. "l couldn't help hearing what D was asking you about, is there really a story in looking at the last 10 years from the point of view of a freelance ?" "l'm not sure that there is," he said slowly. "And if there is, it's not likely to be very popular or interesting. Take I, for instance, -- he's freelancing now for the

neither does RM care. Wht'should we ?

It's just some hack freelance."

We both thought about it, tried to enjoy the house wine, and relaxed. The f reelance

came back to the subject. "Of course,

I

stopped accepting workfrom that lotyears ago. I don't want to move to Lamma.

Least of all because that and debtor's prison is all I can afford in this town."

"Aren't there successful freelances ?"

I asked. "Yes, but freelance never pros-

pers -- for if il does, none may call it freelance : - a freelance prospers by writing for hire for companies (like goodlooking J) joining an agency (dozens of them), becoming a staffer (like the popular and deservedly successful freelances T & I who were only f reelance f rom circum-

useful extra to public relations exercises.

stance, not choice when they arrived), or even turns into an editor publisher, or both (like Artie I)."

"Doesn't this mean that there's an article on 'Freelancing ain't what it used to be' ?" I asked, confident that several more glasses of wine had restored the freelance to amiability.

"Maybe," he said. "But l'm not going to write it for free. I've already got a steady little number going teaching writing, so I

same paper that employed him as an editor for several years. He left to do it because he thought that it would be a He's getting paid the same word rate

can afford to be a hell of a lot fussier

today as he paid me 10 years ago. He's moved down in the world from Taikoo

about what I write and for whom I write."

He moved off.

Sing to Lamma. Where's the interest in that ? I don't care, you don't care, and

freelance left in the house after 10 years?"

"Well," I thought. "ls there a true

Colour pr¡nts on the feature wall of the Club are made courtesy

PETER CHO'S COLOR WORKSHOP

tion. Ten years ago, freelance writing wasn't pafticularly well paid for journal-

Call Rosemary Little on,577-933I for further information

ists, it cerlainly isn't today. People can't afford to stay in the game. lf you actually like politics and news, you tend to move to the staff of a paper, otherwise it's less

Flat G, 2ndlF., Luard Road 1, Southorn Mansion, Wanchai, H.K. Tel: 527 4813,527 4781 Fax: 865 4370

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

3I

Tþn years in retrospect oesn't time go fast when you think you're enjoying yourself?

It has been 10 years since The Club saved its bacon by bagging accommodation in lce House Street. Not that was a member in those days. Junior civil servants did not see the FCC, as a natural bolt hole. They still don't. They saw themselves as being savaged in Sutherland House by bicarbonated war corre-

Stuart Wolfendale

Canberra. lt has been a decade of laughter and tears, victories and defeats and a score of other cliches at $1.50 a word.

The latter years were seen through

a

haze to put together in my mind what it is

that has changed here.

Back then, I recall a cautious hedgebetting sort of deference to foreigners which has now been dispensed with but what I cannot recall are acts of grievous bodily harm by electrical shop salesman

I

out in the eastwithout having found anyway

legal to park. ln being forced to move from its Fanling station site by "gangers"

I

spondents. They still might be.

I remember 1982 for the year in which I closed the door on a 1,600 square foot civll service quarter in Stubbs Road and all hopes of going back to Britain on the

I attempted to drive through it, entered in the west and rattled straight

time

against customers for asking to see more

from agrowing KCR, the legendary "Better

than one item. You could still park your car in the odd kerbside spot in Central and karaoke would have been considered a new strain of prickly heat.

Ole" restaurant seemed to have found a right ole.

The MTR now provides complete circuits of the urban area and those finding

RTHK played "Rule Brittania" and "Land a senior memberof the Royal Family landed at Kai Tak. There were stilljewellery shop

rental levels impossible to digest are talking of living on it. Properly back in '82 was something but nothing compared to what it is now to the greatest glee of those

robberies in those days but they lacked the determination to succeed which the

jammy sods who, unlike me, bought a shoe box then without the faintest idea

present efforts display. I walked by one in Central at around that time. The lookout f ired a warning shot in the air and I turned on my heel and went for a drink. Watching one of the more perilously spectacular endeavours in Central recently, Club

that things would go quite this far.

of Hope and Glory" on air whenever

member Robefio Chard described it as

"street theatre."

The New Territories has become so unrecognisably road ravaged that last

Take the case I heard of last week of an

expatriate who joined an expatriate firm in the mid-1980s. ln his mid-twenties he took advantage of a mortgage offer from the firm through a friendly bank which re-

sulted in him buying a fair sized flat on which he was paying a modest mortContinued page 34

'; ,

lf

Ë

I

,

I'

t ,-d

Òr

J)

Signing away Hong Kong

32

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

t

,) '

'.)

gage. Recently, in his early thirties, he retired from the sale of the thing on a profit of $6 million without the intention of

doing another stroke for as long as he drank.

Even more difficult for me to make thesis sense of during the decade has been political change. Those who could kick start a day on a Carlsberg which might include parties, barbies, Sunday , junks, runs down The Wanch and The Sevens (which you could just stroll along to if they took your fancy in those days) chattered about political change, but did not actually worry about it.

1982 was the year which began with the opening of talks with China which led me one afternoon in 1984 to go tottering

in disbelief down Peel Street with Sir Geoffrey Howe's words still ringing from the wireless to the effect that, whatever was going to happen, British administration of Hong Kong after 1g9Z was unenvisigeable.

Over those years the press and the analysts have ovenruhelmingly documented a saga of Chinese Mainland interference

in Hong Kong affairs covering matters from the introduction of democratic change,

through the airport, to the corporatisation of RTHK. From almost self satisfied feel-

ings of

"l told you so" from hacks to

haughty sinologist diplomats in the early days of the decade, we are moving to positively bum:shifting anxiety in these latter days as the pace of Chinese diktat seems to hot up indiscriminately.

So I was looking for reassurance last week as I listened to a representative of the Overseas Bankers' Trust who was interpreting the political performance of the last 10 years as a model of mainland probity and a consistent beacon for the future. I screwed up my eyes very hard and tried to see what it was that he had been seeing.

The Chinese had, he said maintained all the principles of prosperity and stability and "one country, two systems" -- all

Quiet but ominous warnings over the behaviour of Hong Kong activists after Tiananmen put a number g typhoon signal up the Hong Kong Government reemphasising that "one country two sys-

Financial authority was established over

the airport bruising when the IBA judges concluded that all rounds went to the PRC. I think that even I probably have

the HKG.

ment had said nothing about democratisation, protests against Chinese internal affairs or massive spending sprees from knives down the piggy bank slit. ,Twas

AccordĂ­ng to my American informant, this decade saw all the building bricks for the future liaison put satisfactorily and properly in place. He even showed graphs to prove that the stock market rocketed after their laying down had been understood.

ink barely dry, began to discuss in Hong Kong, principles of democracy, levelling North Lantau and generally act as if they

owned the place. The Chinese were bemused and horrified.

So all they did was to counter step-by-

step these clumsy but dangerous attempts at post imperialism as they occurred. When the Hong Kong Government threatened to swamp Legco with

directly elected and rabid Savaranolas from constituencies, Peking forced them to drop the numbers involved to levels of undisturbing impotence. This helped settle political authority. Legal authority was established through the Basic Law and the clear indication that within the next decade, copies of Human Rights legislation will be used for fish and chip paper.

I felt better for it, of course. Even for hacks, a little bit of optimism can go a long way before lunch. But coming back on the southbound MTR via the KCR interchange, I sat opposite a couple of the boys from the North in the accidental punk hair do, the suit sacking and plastic shoes over see-through nylon socks and I thought to myself -- what in their philosophy, where amongst the building bricks is

there anything to allow for 250 lbs of

BY ARTHUR HACKER

unreconstructed bourgeois liberal gweilo rolling around with a lap-top?

It was back to the warming, fulfilling sense of doom which so many of us feel so cosy with. ln 2002 see you in Bangkok -- or Bradford?

This lovely silk screen print of Bali was beautifully printed by the famous Coriander Studio in London.

Tiananmen put a number 8 typhoon signal up in Hong Kong THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL 1992

Beautifully prinred in a limited edition of 500 numbered copies signed by the artist, it is available

HK$1,250 post free from:

Copies are on uiew at the Main Dining Room of the Foreign Correspondent's Club, i Low", Albert Road and Fabric Fair, 4Ă&#x2020; Ho Lee

Arthur Hacker Ltd., Suite F, gth Floor,

Commercial Building, 3I-42 D, Aglilar Street, Central

Tel: 987 9043 Fax:987 9Ol2 Pager: 1139933 call 1945

Silk Screen Print in Six colours Edition 500 Printed by Coriander Studio Published by Arrhur Hacker 1984 Size: 43 x 22.5 inches

Cheques payable io Arthur Hacker Ltd.

Price HK$1,250 unframed

34

POND

greater cheque signing authority nowthan

of them being economic. The Joint Agree-

the waffly and perfidious British who, with

LY

tems" translates as "don't subvert us and

we won't subvert you."

Send this form and your cheque to Arthur Hacker Ltd., Suite F, 8th Floor, Crystal Courr, Discovery Bay, Lantau, Hong Kong.

Crystal Court, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong.

ORDER FORM Name

Date

Delivery address

Telephone Please

send

Signature

No. of copies HKgl ,250 each

I

By fax to Catherine V/inchester, Vailima House, Butajimbu, Bali.

Xianggang English Speaking Club Sunday, 6th August 2002 My dearest C, WELL, as you predicted, Clare is still here, still very much queen of all she surveys. When I turned up this lunchtime she was sitting more or less as we left her, five years ago (difficult to believe, so much has happened¡, bright as a button. she had just had breakfast with the local garrison commander, Hu Dai{ang, and was telling me "in the strictest confidence, you know" that she felt she had now sufficiently gained his confidence that she could go ahead and write the full story of the July Campaign of how General Hu had defeated the men of the 37th Division in that incredible sunimer, just afterthe handover. Good for her- it'll be a wonderful book.

Hu is still a hero up here, by the way the man who broughtdemocracyto Hong

-

-

Kong (which is rather more than the

ü

:Triiln$It INTERNATIONAL

we're all the

British ever did). Clare was telling me that she and Hugh Van Es and Kevin Sinclair (yes, all here, and so little changed in so many ways) had been on an ESC trip to the Chek Lap Kok internment camp the week before, to see the poor sods of the 37th who are stillthere in captivity.

The Red Cross are beginning to think they've been there too long, but apparently Lee Chu-ming believes the situation on the ground in China is still too dangerous (at least, in the Wuhan Conidor it is) forthem to be permitted to return. They're still called POWs, and get lots of Swiss chocolate, so why would they want to go back up to Shenyang anyway, Martin says.

Oh yes, the ESC l'd better explain. lmmediately atter the handover the new

-

man, Mr Mao (he of blessed memory

-

what seems to have been Urumqi col-

he's certainly back in Peking) demanded the abolition of the FCC as such (a nest of

thought that was one of its virtues), and had it stripped of all its privileges.

ours took out three ofthe storage tanks at the San Miguel brewery I told him that being good Mussulmen the crew probably thought they were doing right by Atlah. Anyway, the ESC, seems to have

But he did permit a local English speaking group to set up shop there, and for the

pretty good stocks of everything, and everyone is tucked up here and quite

four weeks that he ran the territory he

cosy.

saw to it that it flourished

There's quite a bit of news, too: they had Chu-ming on stage a month or so ago, talking about his plans for the new airport, and Deng Lin-yu was back from London for the first time since the 1996 Exodus, and mouthing expressions of confidence as usual. Of course, thanks

vipers, he called it, but

I had always

many of his senior cadres were encouraged to go and sit around the bar (not very wellstocked, Hugh grumbled) and chat with such Brits as they could find. Well, come the July Campaign and the retaking of the territory by the Canton Republicans, the FCC was back in business again. But they're a sentimental lot, the new management, and they decided to honour, in a droll soft of way, what the Club had been for that short period when Hong

-

Kong was run by the Commies. So Xianggang English Speaking Ctub it is, and the ironwork outside speaks of it as

-

the "ESC". None of the bloody taxis know it as anything other than the FCC, though, as you'd expect. (And a $30 flag-fall-can you believe?) lnside things are more or less as they were, except for the blast-proof glass and the big strips of tape over the windows in what used to be the ltalian restaurant, but which now serves a sort of retro-Mongolian food, boiled lamb and sun-dried tomatoes, all the rage up here just now.

There are still air raids three or four times a week Kevin was complaining that one myopic bomb-aimer in a jet with

-

-

to Geríeral Wu, it turns out she was right, but for all the wrong reasons.

Anyway, I'll be back on Friday night, on the China South flight form Shenzhen. lts

a pretty crummy service, and guess we all miss the good old days of CX ftights, but the bosses behind the Delta takeover apparently didn't see much of a future for

a Hong Kong to Denpasar shuttle. No chance of an upgrade, either it,s all one-class. So see you late Friday, flak

-

permitting. ln the meantime CLare sends her fondest, and promises that once she's done with the book she'll be down to stay.

They've lost Richard Hughes'bust, by the way someone nicked it during the handover, and there's a fund to have a new one. So I put in a couple of quid.

Hope that's okay.

-

See you soon

-S all love

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

37

n____n_./-7

Lr-u-.\

BL]tr THERE'S ALWAYS

A STORYAT

PEOPLE

THE

HONG I(ONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FCC members assemble for a photo call below the Ho Chi Minh statue in Cøn Tho, during e recent tour of the Mekong Deltø.

One of Hong Kong's better known cops and Club member |ohn Norman gets a good-bye kiss during his leaving bqsh løst month, Normøn is to take up a post with Interpol in France.

Ihe Hong Kong Trode Development Council con help you moke business heodlines every doy of the yeor, As o mojor force in world trode you'll find we've olwoys got o good story to tell: no podding, no puff ond bocked by occurote, up-to-the-moment figures ond stoti$ics, Next time you receive one of our press releoses, give it o good once-over, You'll soon see whot we meon, 0r contoct us if you need detoils on ony ospect of Hong Kong irode, llong Kong Heod Ollice

Tel: 0ó9-58ó01

. MiomiJohn lel:344-5211

Williom Cheung

2&16, 3ó I . lslonbul

Sofieddine Tel: 724 Gobriello Prozsok Tel:

-

Locol ftess, Soroh lúonks

-

Overseos press

Iel: 273-8g00 2ó-4515

¡

Do

Evons Tel: B2g

Former Post støffers Peter Brown and Suzanne Leigh who are heading Down Under.

)

Iel

293-7977 Iel: 3502 3251

Hong Kong Trade Development Council We Creote Opportunities

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

39

FCC GOLF

Carlsberg Media Golf Classic anlubang Golf & Country Club, home of the Carlsberg Classic will play host on May 14 and 15 to this prestigious event.

FCC members should contact John Price to register by'lax:845-4777 or lelephone: 845-4455 for the event, A special airlare has been arranged for HK$1,450 departing on CX 903 on Wednesday May 13, return booking is optional.

The popular event now in it's fourth year and always a big hit with FCC members will be held under stableford rules. Carlsberg as the organiser will be responsible for all prizes, local transportation, prize giving dinner and of course refreshments during play as wellas green fees for the Media Classic on May 15.

A welcome poolside cocktail reception will be held upon arrival at the Sheraton Hotel on the evening of May 13. The next day is the Carlsberg "Scramble" four-

l<cop yolt

ho la'r\cl,

'fhe course

F'-** r r ¡¡i:. ¡^. ¡l1J'r;).''i"'

The pain

some event followed by the big one on Friday, May 15.

It is worth mentioning that Carlsberg donate equipment or a journalism award to a worthy association, college or individual to be chosen by the winner from a list of nominees supplied by the organising committee.

Last year's winner John Lenagham based in Bangkok donated his 50,000 baht winning cheque to the Phud Hong Leper Foundation. The money went towards buying sports equipment for children of patients who go to school at

-Lir

J

The glory

C nt

the foundation.

The official hotel for the Media Classic is

the Sheraton and special rates of US$1 08

(inclusive) per night have been arranged.

Those wishing to book this should contact Derek Currie at Carlsberg on 6673788 or by fax: 664-5305.

The Carlsberg Media Classic is open to anyone involved in the media field or member of a Foreign Correspondents' Club.

40

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

1992

UB rá,

4Þ HongkongBank

HÛIVGKON

NK AT{D YO{J, TF{E WINNING TEAM.

Ë

LETTERS f f YY V

þen Simon was contemplating the offer of general manager to be based in Los Angeles we naturally Y thought long and hard about uprooting ourselves from Hong Kong. We have always known that, that dot on the South East tip of that huge continent was special and would be a hard act to follow, but we comforted ourselves with the idea that at least there was a Press Club in L.A. affiliated to the FCC, it says so in every issue of The Correspondent.

The FCC had been responsible for many memorable times in our lives and surely we would encounter other friendly faces and fun times in another bar on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Mistake number one was to drive out to the Equestrian Centre

in search of our mecca. Not surprisingly, there were lots of horses, horses trotting, horses jumping, horses doing dressage, horses doing all the things, that horses do but no sign of the L.A, Press Club. Our inquiry at the Equestrian Club office brought blank expressions, our enquiry at-yes a small empty bar brought even more blank expressions. We went home. No one had ever heard of a journalists' club at the Equestrian Centre.

-

-

Not to be defeated we tracked down a "Yellow Pages" and under the heading "Associations" it said, in small letters "Los

Angeles Press Club" Hollywood Palm Hotel. Thinking that it must have moved and no-one had informed the FCC we called.

"Hello, is that the L.A. Press Club ?"

"We understand the FCC is affiliated, we'd be delighted to come along and introduce ourselves. What is necessary to join, and by the way are you open every day and what facilities do you have ?"

"What sort of facilities do you want ? We have an office."

"Well, what about a bar where we could drop in after work to socialise a bit, get to know a few people ?"

"Sorry, if you want to socialise in this town, I suggest you join a health club no-one goes to bars here."

So friends and members if you are visiting L.A, do come and see us in Hollywood -- we are planning to make our place the L.A. branch of the FCC. The bar is always open.

-

FCC Board Nominations Nominations were taken on April 1 for the 1992-93 Board of Governors.

All ballots must be lodged with the Club no later than 2.30pm, Thursday, May 14.

PRESIDENT

Steve Vines, The Observer FIRST VICE.PRESIDENT Jonathan Friedland, Far Eastern Economic Review

SECONDVICEPRESIDENT:

JOU R NALIST MEM BER GOVE RNORS :

1. William Barker, Academy for Performing Arts 2. Cynthia Hydes, TV Times 3. Stuart Wolfendale, Freelance 4. Karin M. Malmstrom. Freelance COR

ASIA

AMERICA

AUSTRALIA

BRITAIN

Thailand FCCThailand, 23lF, DusitThani Hotel,

Honolulu Press Club, PO Box 81 7, Honolulu, Hawaii 96808.

Canbena National Press Club,

London Press Club & Scribes, 4 Carmelite St., London EC4, UK.

National Press Club, 14th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20045, USA. Tel: (202) 662-7500

Darwin Press Club, Cavenagh St., Darwin.

PO Box 598, Koror, Palau.

Korea Sadan Pubin Seoul Club, 208 Jangchoong-Dong, 2-Ka, Chung-Ku, Seoul, Korea.

Overseas Press Club, Madison Ave., Suite 21 16, New York, NY 1 001 7, USA.

31 0

Seoul Foreign Con's Club, 18/F, Korea Centre Bldg. 25, 1 -Ka, Taepyong-Ro, Chung-Ku, Seoul, Korea.

Japan

Pittsburgh Press Club, 300 Sixth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA. Tel: (412) 471-4644

FCC Tokyo,

Sydney Journalist Club, 36/40 Chalmers St., Sydney, NSW 2000.

Rugby Club Rugby Union House, Crane Place, Off 31A Pitt St., Sydney,

1

ïel:211 3161 NewZealand National Press Club of Wellington, PO Box 2327, Wellington.

1 Carlton House Terrace, London SWl Y SAJ. Tel: 01 -930-0445 1

Wig and Pen Club, 229l230 Strand, London WC2R 1BA. Tel:01 -353-6864 EUROPE

NSW2000.

Denmark The Victoria Club, Level 41 , Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000.

lnt'l Press Centre, 14 Snaregard, DK-1 205, Copenhagen K.

Germany CANADA

-Chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo.

7-1 Yurakocho,

16 National Circuit, Barton, ACT2600.

The Foreign Press Asso.,

Omaha Press Club, 2200 One First National Centre, Nebraska 681 02, Omaha.

Reno Press & Virginia Club, 221 So. Virginia St., Reno, NV 90501, USA.

Ottawa National Press Club, 150 Wellington, Ottawa KIP 5A4.

lndianapolis Press Club, 150 W. Market, lndianapolis, lN 46204, USA. Tel: (317)237-6222

Winnipeg Press Club, Marlborough Hotel, 331 Smith St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3b 2G9, Canada.

Journalisten Club, Berllins E.V., Kurfurstendamm 224, 1 000 Berlin 15.

Presse Club Munchen, 8000 M u nchen 2, Matienplalz 22, Germany.

Singapore

Holland

Singapore Foreign Con's Assn, 41 Duxton Rd. Singapore 0208.

Nieuwspoort lnternational, Press Centre, Hofsingel 12, The Hague, The Netherlands.

42

THE CORRESPONDENTAPRIL 1992

(1)

1.. Ken Ball, Emphasis Ltd 2. Jo Mayfield, HK General Chamber Of Commerce 3. David Thurston, South China Morning Post

RECIPROCAL CLUBS

Palau Community Club,

LOOKING!

Barbara and Simon Patch (213) 467 8900

946 Rama lV Road, Bangkok 1 0500, Thailand.

STOP

R

ES PON D ENT M EM B E R GOV ERNO R S :

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Todd Crowell, Asiaweek Ltd Bob Davis, Stockhouse

Daniela Deane, Washington Post Carl Goldstein, Far Eastern Economic Review Humphrey Hawksley, BBC Mike Hughes, Reuters Chris Hunter, Asian Printing Brian Jeffries, AsiaPacific Space Report V.G. Kulkarni, Far Eastern Economic Review 10. Philippe Le Corre, Radio France 11. Lee Byung Kook, Korean Economic Daily 12. Peter'Mckillop, Newsweek 13. Paul Mooney, Freelance 14. Catherine Ong, Singapore Business Times 15. Christopher Pizzey, Reuters 16. Stefan Reisner, Stern Magazine 17. Claudia Rosett, Asian Wall Street Journal 18. Hubert Van Es, Photoreporters 19. Hans Vriens, Radio Netherland

ASSOCIATEMEMBERGOVERNORS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Looking for a "home'? Let us end your search. Eaton House offeß you a variety of tastefully furnished, seruiced apartments. We offer very affordable rents, priced from HK$12,000 for areas of 400 to 700 square feet. All necessities are provided and our service staff will take care of every little detail for you.

To start enjoying life in Hong Kong, just move in to any of our 3 locations.

Call us now at 710-1800 for details!

EATO N HOUSE INTEENATIOI{ÅI

LIMITTD

EATON HOUSE.4H VILLAGE ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY EATON HOUSE, 1OO BLUE POOL ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY EATON HOUSE,3-5 WANCHAI GAP ROAD, WANCHAI

(4)

David Garcia, Transorient Steel Lynn D. Grebstad, Peninsula Group Of Hotels Saul Lockhañ, HK Trade Development Council Allison R. Mercer, Heritage Int'l Scholarship Trust Mike Smith, IBM China/HK Group J. Roger Thomas, Duty Free Shoppers HK Ltd

ftfu l!o*,'.hr*,¡,lo*

co#

THE CORRESPONDENT APRIL

floue

1992

43

When you're flying the longest routes in the world, een at it a very long time.

A PEDDLER'S JOURNAL

Bill Bailey won't you please come home on't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home?

She cried the whole night long.

What few people realise is that the Bill

Bailey of the song was a real person.

A vaudeville entertainer from New York by that name showed up in Singapore one day back in the mid -1930s. Not long after he arrived he opened a night club along the sea front in Pasir Panjang, calling it "The Coconut Grove". lt soon became a popular watering spot for the expatriate crowd, including Malay royalty from across the causeway, and flourished until the outbreak of the war. Bailey spent the war years interned in Changi prison as an all expenses paid "guest" of the Japanese. After the war he bought an old house nearer the centre of town and turned the downstairs into a bar and lounge naming it again "The Coconut Grove". lt became a hangout for journalists and writers. Bailey would spend his evenings there, sitting in a butterfly cane chair and spinning yarns to entertain the tourists, while his partner tended the bar.

It was during those years that the story spread and that the song was written for

him. lt was a plea to return to his old haunts in New York from an old girl friend or his friends left behind.

When I lived in Singapore in 1970,

I

heard bits and pieces aboutthe Bill Bailey legend. I had also noticed on a side street, just off Orchard Road, a seedy old

establishment with a faded sign in front saying "Coconut Grove". I wondered if there was any connection. One evening when my stepfather from New York was visiting, I suggested we go there and check it out.

We arrived about 9pm. The place was deserted except for an elderly Chinese dozing in a chair behind the bar. The only sound to be heard was a dull whooshing

::.

!

noise created by the slowly revolving ceiling fans. Rattan tables and chairs were scattered about the spacious room, and in the corner was an old piano with what looked like the accumulation of several

years of dust.

After a suitable interval, but before he had time to go back to sleep, I asked the bartender if there was any connection with this place and Bill Bailey's "Coconut Grove" I had heard about. A flicker of surprise passed his face and he replied "This Bill Bailey's place but he dead."

"When did he die ?" I asked, "Few years ago", was the rather vague reply. I began to ask him more questions

about Bill Bailey but it was obvious that even though he had worked for him for many years, he knew nothing about his background. The most we could get out of him was "Bill Bailey very nice man". I suspect he was puzzled why foreigners, and Americans in particular, seemed to

take so much interest in him. Finally reaching down below the bar, he said he

would show us a picture. He placed a thick scrap book on the bar in front of us and opening to the first page said: "This Bill Bailey last picture".

We were looking at an album of photos taken the day of Bill Bailey's funeral. On the first page was a picture of a coffin open to expose the torso and head of the deceased. The eyes were shut but the features distinct and had I known what Bill Bailey looked like in life, I would have had no trouble recognising Bill Bailey's corpse.

A few years later the "Coconut Grove" was swept away by the building boom of new hotels and shopping centers on Orchard Road and the vicinity. I have no idea what happened to the elderly bartender with his photo album but I assume he lived out the rest of his life anony-

The Swire Group

mously in a tiny flat in one of the huge housing estates in Singapore.

A couple of years ago I heard from a long-term resident of Hong Kong, a different and possibly more accurate version of the Bill Bailey legend. My source, well advanced in years I should add, remembers a Bill Bailey who played the banjo in a Shanghai night club back in

æ:

I

e.=

æ

1931 . lt was called the "Cinderella Club",

located on Sichuan Road and was owned by one Whitey Smith. Bailey had a partner at the time, Lynn Cowan, who played the piano.

According to my informant, when the club closed around 2am, the musicians were in the habit of hanging around for a few congenial drinks and to do their own thing. These sessions often lasted until the wee hours and invariably lead to the appearañce of Mrs Bailey to drag her old man home. This was done by mild coaxing followed by impatient demands when he showed some reluctance, which was normally the case. This became so much of a routine that one evening, on the appearance of Mrs Bailey at the door, the pianist pre-empted the coming outburst with staccato and crescendo chords setting spontaneously to music the following ref rain.

"Come on home Bill Bailey, Bill Bailey come on home. Come on home Bill Bailey.

Bill Bailey won't you PLEASE come HOME." Bailey and Cowan left Shanghai a few years later, appearing next for a relatively short stint at the "Gryps Grill" in Hong Kong. That was sometime around 1933.

By this time the Bill Bailey song

had

As

I

I

lz

pioneers of ultra long-haul

flights to and from Hong Kong,we

know how to make flights more enjoyable. From the technology of

our all Rolls-Royce powered

bodied fleet, to the finest pilots in the

world, and service by flight attendants

from 10 Asian lands. All is designed to

become a standard in their repertoire.

Leighton Wíllgerodt,

an Associate

help you arrive in better shape.

Member of the FCC, is a sales

,a

executive with a US multinational chemical compqny.

^--

44 TIIE CORRESPONDENT

APRIL 1992

wide-

CATHAYPACIFIC Arrive in better shape.

The name of the world's

MasterCard issuer.

The name welcomed at more than 9 million outlets worldwide.

The most important name of all,

WE'vE PUT THREE BIG }{AMES ON ONE SMALL CARD. CITIBANK MASTERCARD. Pick up an application form today 0r call our 24-hour hotline: 8661123,

Not Just MasterCard.

Citibank MasterCard-