Monument -2

Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay (bibliography)

Bibliography : http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_798_2004-12-14.html
:http://www1.moe.edu.sg/learn@/singaporerivertrail/sec/G041_Dunman_Sec/pioneers_of_singapore.htm

Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay (Reflective Response)

I learned about Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay’s achievements and contributions to the society in the early years of Singapore. I also learned that the Whampoa house and Whampoa’s Ice House are still around. Before I did this assignment, I didn’t even know that there was such a person such as Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay and he contributed a lot to Singapore’s society. The only thing I disliked about this assignment is that the monument part was very difficult as I could not think of anything.

Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay (Monument) -1

The monument should stand at his Whampoa House. It is because to the society at large, it was his Whampoa House with its expansive gardens which he was more well-known for. This home was opened to the public during Chinese New Year and became a popular place for gatherings during that festive season. The monument should be a man(Whampoa) talking and there are a few people listening to him and nodding their heads in agreement. This is because he was the first and only Chinese to have held a seat at Executive Council. That means that he had very good ideas for the soceity at large and he had the same views as the other members of the Executive Council, so the other people in the monument will listen to him.

Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay (How his contributions made an impact on Singapore)

He held positions of Consul of Russia, China and Japan. When the Legislative Council was first formed in 1867, he was one of the Unofficial Members. In 1869, he became the first Asian member of the Legislative Council and within a few years was made an extraordinary member of the Executive Council, the first and only Chinese to have held this seat. On 10 May 1876, he received the honour of Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) at a public investiture ceremony held by the Straits Settlements Governor. Thus, he could help fight for rights for the Chinese immigrants, so the Chinese would not be treated unfairly. His contributions should be categorised under political impact.

Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay (Brief Biography)

Hoo Ah Kay came to Singapore in the year 1830 when he was a 15 year-old boy, to help his father in the family business. Hoo Ah Kay was born in Huangpo (Whampoa), Canton (Guangdong). His father had set up a provision shop located at the junction of Bonham Street and Boat Quay, supplying beef, bread and vegetables. Hoo Ah Kay inherited the business after his father's death. The company, Whampoa & Co., had adopted the name of his birthplace and as Hoo Ah Kay grew in fame, his company's name became synonymous with his own.