Edward BOWDLER [1831-1907]

Submitted by eurasian_david on Sat, 10/12/2024 - 03:13
Names
Title
Mr
Given
Edward
Family
Bowdler
Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Died
Date
Died in (country)
B.C.C.Hong Kong

Acting Surveyor General in Hong Kong for 24 years. Best remembered as the special engineer of the Praya Reclamation Works. Mr Edward Bowdler had spent twelve years in Mauritius, from where he was appointed to Hong Kong in June 1874. He arrived in Hong Kong from Mauritius in September 1874. He also joined LegCo and Exco in 1893.

"Designing a Hong Kong Observatory

The first plans for a Hong Kong observatory were produced in 1881, following the Hong Kong government’s approval of a 10,000 HKD budget for the project, although funding was not authorised until the summer of 1882.Footnote35 At the behest of the governor, Major Henry Spencer Palmer of the colony’s Corp of Engineers submitted a formal observatory proposal in consultation with Acting Surveyor General Edward Bowdler, who had been involved in the design and construction of the Royal Alfred Observatory’s magnetic building in Mauritius..."

Source: Roskam, C. (2021). Constructing climate: the Hong Kong Observatory and imperial Britain’s meteorological networks, 1842–1912. The Journal of Architecture, 26(8), 1241–1270. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2021.1983005

 

Member of the Hong Kong Executive and of the Legislation Council from 9th November 1893

Source: Hong Kong Government Gazette Vol 39; No. 50 page 1132, Government Notification No. 405, 11th November 1893

He served until 17th September 1894

Photos that show this Person

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1884 Principal Residents

Bowdler   E.   Fung-Shui   Mount Gough  

 

1887 Peak Directory 

1887 Bowdler   E.   Fungshui  
1887 Bowdler   F. Fung Shui

 

1888 Peak Directory

1888 Bowdler   F. Fung Shui

 

1889 Peak Directory 

Bowdler, E. Fungshui

 

1890 Peak Directory 

1890 Bowdler   F. Fung Shui

 

1895 Peak Directory 

1895 Bowdler Hon. F.   Fung Shui

 

 

1898 Peak Directory

1898 Bowdler   F.   Fung Shui  

 

1899 Peak Directory 

1899 Bowdler   F.   Fung Shui  

Is the 'F' supposed to be an 'E'? or is it another relation. eg son?

 

Buried at the Hong Kong Colonial Cemetery, Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Another view of his grave here.

He was buried 6th October 1907:

Burial   6 Edward Bowdler

 

Bowdler Edward 1907-10-04 76 4516 18---/08/15-

 

18---/08/15- Bowdler Edward 1907-10-04 76 4516
18---/08/15- In loving memory of / Edward Bowdler / born February 1st 1831 / died October 4th 1907 / and / of his widow / Annie Bowdler / March 1st 1924 / In my father's house are many mansions / I go to prepare a place for you / St John's Gospel Ch. 1 and 2 / Angel banks conveted him / to that blessed realm above / and through the countless ages / rest sheltered in God's love / A.B.# 7270 # 8732

It is amazing what would be trivial to us nowadays that can end up in court. And the fine would be hefty for its time. Interesting social dynamics at play.

“ANOTHER DISOBEDIENT SERVANT.

Li Wai, coolie, was charged by Mr. Ed. Bowdler with disobeying lawful orders.

Mr. Bowdler said that the defendant was his house coolie, he refused point blank to empty the slops and chambers in his dressing room. Defendant had been with him before and had always done it, but he refused in the present instance.

Defendant said that he joined Mr. Bowdler’s service on the 15th inst. On Tuesday he was told to empty the chambers and he refused.

Fined $7, or twenty-eight days’ hard labour.”

Source: Hong Kong Daily Press, page 2, 23rd August 1894