Edwin Henry Spark(s) SUMMERS [1862-1940]

From the SCMP, 12 May 1924, p. 9

46 YEARS IN HONG KONG

MR. E.H. SUMMERS RETIRES

One of the oldest and most respected residents of Hongkong, Mr. E.H. Summers, leaves Hongkong with Mrs. Summers for home to-morrrow on the President Monroe after the long period of 46 years in the Colony.

Mr Summers arrrived in Hongkong in 1878 as an apprentice on a 350 ton sailing vessel, and continued to serve on sailing ships of the China Coast till 1883, in which year he joined the Imperial Chinese Navy as Navigating Officer when certain of the Chinese Gunboats were manned by European Officers, to put down piracy in Chinese Waters between Hongkong and Tonquin Gulf. In 1886 Mr. Summers joined the Hongkong Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., and served on te Powan, Hankow and Tamsui, and in 1900 he joined the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., in which concern he has served for over 23 years as Craft Superintendent. 

Last Friday, Mr. Summers was the recipient of a silver mounted dressing case from the European Staff of the Godown Co., and also a handsome silver bowl suitably inscribed from the Indian and Chinese Staff. Mr. W.S. Brown, the Secretary of the Godown Co., in presenting the dressing case, spoke warmly of the esteem and respect in which Mr. Summers is held by all the Staff of the Company, and thanked Mr. Summers for the long and valued service which he had given during the past 23 years, and trusted that Mr. and Mrs. Summers would be long spared to enjoy a well-earned retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are leavind behind in the Colony, two sons and one daughter;  Mr. C. H. Summers of Taikoo Dockyard, Mr. Alec Summers of Thos. Cook and Sons, and Mrs. R.F. Forbes. His other son, Frank, was killed during the war serving with the Australians.

We join the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Summers in wishing them etc.

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E.H. Summers appears as an employee of the Taikoo Sugar Refinery in the Jury Lists of 1895 and 1896. I have found Mrs. Summers in the 1906 Ladies Directory as resident at Godown Buildings, Kowloon. In 1919 the Summers's address is given as Aimai Villas, Kowloon. E.H. Summers's name appears as having attended the funeral of Robert Hurley in 1927, but perhaps that is a mistake. A wreath was sent in the couple's name.