At the same unfortunate juncture, the king[196] insisted on Lord North demanding from Parliament half a million for the liquidation of his debts, though he possessed a civil list of eight hundred thousand a-year. Simple as were the habits of George and his queen, the most reckless disregard of economy was practised in his household. No means were taken to check the rapacity of his tradesmen, and it was shown that even for the one item of the royal coach, in 1762, there had been charged seven thousand five hundred and sixty-two pounds! The Commons voted the half million, the public grumbled, and the popularity of Wilkes, the great champion of reform, rose higher than ever. A fourth time the freeholders of Middlesex nominated him as their candidate; and on this occasion a fresh Government nominee presented himself. This was Colonel Henry Lawes Luttrell. Two other candidates, encouraged by Luttrell's appearance, came forward; and on the 13th of April the list of the poll, which had gone off quietly, showed Wilkes one thousand one hundred and forty-three; Luttrell, two hundred and ninety-six; Whitaker, five; and Roach, none.
Walpole, however, continued to oppose the South Sea Bill in the Commons, declaring that the terms were too extravagant ever to be fulfilled; that the experiment could result in nothing but a fearful increase of the costs of stockjobbing, and final confusion and ruin. He insisted that, before the proposals of the Company were accepted,[47] the rise of their stock should be limited, and every means taken to prevent the fever of infatuation that would ensue from the promise of dividends out of funds which could never be realised. He proposed for this purpose the introduction of a clause fixing the number of years' purchase to be granted to the annuitants of the South Sea Company; but to this it was objected that it was the interest of the Company to take up the annuities; and, as the annuitants had the power of coming in or not, as they pleased, the Company would, of course, offer advantageous terms, and, therefore, the whole affair might be safely left to private adjustment. Aislabie added that the South Sea Company would not submit to be controlled in an undertaking they were to pay so dear for. The Bill passed both Houses.
ONE:HENRY FIELDING. (The Portrait by Hogarth; the Border by James Basire.)
ONE:[See larger version]The naval transactions of 1810 were almost wholly confined to watching the French, Spanish, and Italian coasts, to thwart the French, who, on their part, were continually on the watch for any of our blockading ships being driven by the weather, or called to some other station, in order to run out and convey men and stores into Spain. The last action of Lord Collingwood took place in this service. Though his health was fast failing, and he had repeatedly entreated the Admiralty to allow him to give up the command and go home to his familythe only chance of his long survivalthey always refused. His complaint was declared by the faculty to be owing to his long confinement on board ships, and he had now scarcely set foot on shore for three years. But notwithstanding all this, with a singular selfishness the Admiralty kept him on board, and he was too high-minded to resign his commission whilst he could be of service to his country. In this state of health he was lying off Toulon, blockading that port, when he was driven to Minorca by a gale of wind. He had regained the coast of Catalonia, when he heard that the French fleet had issued from Toulon, and were making for Barcelona. The whole British fleet were in exultation; but on sighting this supposed fleet it was found to consist only of three sail of the line, two frigates, and about twenty other vessels, carrying provisions to the French army at Barcelona. They no sooner caught view of the British fleet than they made off in all haste, and the British gave chase. Admiral Martin was the first to come up with them in the Gulf of Lyons, where two of the ships of the line ran ashore, and were set fire to by the French admiral, Baudin. Two others ran into the harbour of Cette; and eleven of the store-ships ran into the Bay of Rooas, and took refuge under the powerful batteries; but Lord Collingwood, in spite of the batteries, sent in the ships' boats, and in the face of the batteries, and of boarding nets, set fire to and destroyed them. Five other store-ships were captured. This was the last exploit of the brave and worthy Collingwood. His health gave way so fast, that, having in vain endeavoured again to induce the Admiralty to relieve him of his command, expressly assuring them that he was quite worn out, on the 3rd of March he surrendered his post to Rear-Admiral Martin, and set sail in the Ville de Paris for England. But it was too late; he died at sea on the 7th of March, 1810. Very few admirals have done more signal service, or have displayed a more sterling English character than Lord Collingwood; and perhaps none were ever more grudgingly rewarded or so unfeelingly treated by the Admiralty, who, in fact, killed him by a selfish retention of his services, when they could be continued only at the cost of his life.
Guiding our corporate vision for success
HKBN is steered by a Board of Directors that intermingles a range of expert abilities for visionary thinking. Our board consists of eight Directors, comprising two Executive Directors, three Non-executive Directors and three Independent Non-executive Directors.
Bradley Jay HORWITZ
Chairman and Independent Non-executive Director
Bradley Jay HORWITZ was appointed as the Chairman and an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. In 2005, Mr. Horwitz founded Trilogy International Partners and has served as president and chief executive officer since it was established.
Bradley Jay HORWITZ was appointed as the Chairman and an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. In 2005, Mr. Horwitz founded Trilogy International Partners and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since it was established. Trilogy International Partners was established to acquire wireless international assets in Haiti and Bolivia and to develop additional international wireless assets, primarily in South America and the Caribbean. Prior to establishing Trilogy International Partners, Mr. Horwitz served as President of Western Wireless International, having founded the company in 1995 while also serving as an Executive Vice President of Western Wireless Corporation. Previously, he was a founder and Chief Operating Officer of SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited. Mr. Horwitz graduated from San Diego State University, U.S. with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1978.
Chu Kwong YEUNG (William YEUNG)
Executive Director
Chu Kwong YEUNG is the Executive Vice-chairman of the Group and an Executive Director of the company. Mr. Yeung joined the Group in October 2005 as Chief Operating Officer and became Executive Vice-chairman in September 2018.
Chu Kwong YEUNG is the Executive Vice-chairman of the Group and an Executive Director of the company. Mr. Yeung joined the Group in October 2005 as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for overseeing customer engagement, relationship management and network development. In November 2008, he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and became Executive Vice-chairman in September 2018. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Yeung was Director of Customers Division at SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited, and served as a police inspector with the Hong Kong Police Force. Mr. Yeung holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hong Kong Baptist University, a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Strathclyde, U.K., and a Master of Science Degree in Electronic Commerce and Internet Computing from The University of Hong Kong. Mr. Yeung was recognised as Champion of Human Resources by The Hong Kong HRM Awards 2010. Mr. Yeung is one of our proud Co-Owners.
Ni Quiaque LAI (NiQ LAI)
Executive Director
Ni Quiaque LAI (NiQ LAI) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Group, and an Executive Director of the company. Mr. Lai joined the Group in May 2004. He has rich experience in the telecommunications, research and finance industries, and is passionate about developing HKBN Talents because he believes if you get the people right, the company will do great. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Lai was an analyst and the Director and Head of Asia Telecom Research for Credit Suisse, where he was involved in numerous global fund raising initiatives for Asian telecom carriers.
Ni Quiaque LAI (NiQ LAI) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Group, and an Executive Director of the company. Mr. Lai joined the Group in May 2004. He has rich experience in the telecommunications, research and finance industries, and is passionate about developing HKBN Talents because he believes if you get the people right, the company will do great. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Lai was an analyst and the Director and Head of Asia Telecom Research for Credit Suisse, where he was involved in numerous global fund raising initiatives for Asian telecom carriers. Mr. Lai holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Western Australia, and an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree from Kellogg-HKUST, Hong Kong. He is a Fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and CPA Australia. In March 2016, he was recognised as Best CFO by FinanceAsia Survey of Asia's Best Companies 2016 (Hong Kong). Mr. Lai is one of our proud Co-Owners.
Deborah Keiko ORIDA
Non-executive Director
Deborah Keiko ORIDA was appointed as a Non-executive Director and a member of the Nomination Committee of the Company on 20 November 2015. Ms. Orida is the Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Active Equities at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”), a substantial shareholder (as defined in Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance) of the Company.
Deborah Keiko ORIDA was appointed as a Non-executive Director and a member of the Nomination Committee of the Company on 20 November 2015. Ms. Orida is the Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Active Equities at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”), a substantial shareholder (as defined in Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance) of the Company. Ms. Orida joined CPPIB in 2009 in Toronto and has held senior leadership roles, including Managing Director, Head of Relationship Investments International, covering Europe and Asia, and was most recently Managing Director and Head of Private Equity Asia. Ms. Orida is responsible for leading Active Fundamental Equities, Relationship Investments, Thematic Investing, Fundamental Equities Asia and Sustainable Investing. Prior to joining CPPIB, Ms. Orida was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York and Toronto where she advised management teams and boards on mergers and acquisitions and financing transactions. Prior to Goldman Sachs & Co., Ms. Orida was a securities lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon in Toronto. Ms. Orida previously served on the Board of Directors of Nord Anglia Education and the Board of Directors of the Investment Committee of the Bridgepoint Health Foundation and was the Chair of the Board of Directors of Vitalhub Corp., a mobile healthcare startup company. Ms. Orida holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, Canada.
Zubin Jamshed IRANI
Non-executive Director
Zubin Jamshed IRANI was appointed as a Non-executive Director, a member of the Audit Committee and a member of Remuneration Committee of the Company on 30 April 2019. Mr. Irani is a Partner with TPG Capital and leads the Asia Operations Group. He brings over 20 years' experience in building strong teams, driving performance and managing change within businesses.
Zubin Jamshed IRANI was appointed as a Non-executive Director, a member of the Audit Committee and a member of Remuneration Committee of the Company on 30 April 2019. Mr. Irani is a Partner with TPG Capital and leads the Asia Operations Group. He brings over 20 years' experience in building strong teams, driving performance and managing change within businesses. At TPG Capital, Mr. Irani has worked in the consumer, healthcare, financial services, telecom and technology sectors. Prior to TPG Capital, Mr. Irani was with United Technologies Corporation ("UTC") where he led the business in India which included Carrier Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Otis Elevators and UTC Fire & Security. Mr. Irani started his career at McKinsey & Company and worked in the Cleveland, Detroit, Copenhagen and Mumbai offices, serving several multi-national clients with a focus on automotive, industrial and post merger management. Mr. Irani holds a Masters in Materials Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. and a Bachelor of Technology in Materials Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India.
Teck Chien KONG
Non-executive Director
Teck Chien KONG was appointed as a Non-executive Director and a member of the Nomination Committee of the Company on 30 April 2019. Mr. Kong is a Partner at MBK Partners and is based in Hong Kong. With extensive investment experiences in both the telecommunication and media industries, he has led MBK Partners’ investments in WTT Holding Corp, China Network Systems Co., Ltd. and Gala TV Corp.
Teck Chien KONG was appointed as a Non-executive Director and a member of the Nomination Committee of the Company on 30 April 2019. Mr. Kong is a Partner at MBK Partners and is based in Hong Kong. With extensive investment experiences in both the telecommunication and media industries, he has led MBK Partners’ investments in WTT Holding Corp, China Network Systems Co., Ltd. and Gala TV Corp. Prior to MBK Partners, Mr. Kong spent five years at Carlyle Asia Partners, where he was Vice President and co-head of the Singapore office, and three years in the investment banking division at Salomon Smith Barney in New York and Hong Kong. Mr. Kong currently serves on the Board of Directors of Apex International Corporation, Teamsport Topco Limited and Siyanli Co. Ltd., and has experience serving on Board of Directors of Beijing Bowei Airport Support Limited, China Network Systems Co., Ltd., Gala TV Corp., GSE Investment Corporation, Luye Pharma Group Ltd and WTT HK Limited. Mr. Kong holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business School, U.S., and has completed an executive management programme at Harvard Business School, U.S..
Stanley CHOW
Independent Non-executive Director
Stanley CHOW was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. Mr. Chow has over 21 years of experience as a corporate lawyer in Hong Kong and Canada, including more than 18 years of expertise in dealing with the Stock Exchange's Listing Rules during his time in private practice and as a senior manager at the Stock Exchange's Listing Division.
Stanley CHOW was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. Mr. Chow has over 21 years of experience as a corporate lawyer in Hong Kong and Canada, including more than 18 years of expertise in dealing with the Stock Exchange's Listing Rules during his time in private practice and as a senior manager at the Stock Exchange's Listing Division. Mr. Chow was a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins, an international law firm, from March 2009 to February 2014. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Mr. Chow practised law with Allen & Overy, from November 1996 to January 2009 where he was a partner in its Hong Kong office for over 8 years. As a corporate lawyer in Hong Kong, Mr. Chow has advised on a broad range of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Prior to his time in private practice, he was a senior manager in the Stock Exchange's Listing Division from May 1995 to October 1996 and also practised law with Canadian law firms in Hong Kong and Canada. Mr. Chow is a member of The Law Society of Hong Kong's Company Law Committee and was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong in 1995 and in England and Wales in 1994. He was also admitted as a barrister and solicitor in British Columbia, Canada in 1994 and in Ontario, Canada in 1991. Mr. Chow graduated from Queen's University, Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, Canada.
Quinn Yee Kwan LAW, SBS, JP
Independent Non-executive Director
Quinn Yee Kwan LAW, SBS, JP, was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. Mr. Law currently serves as the Deputy Chairman of Professional Conduct Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is an advisor of the Hong Kong Business Accountants Association.
Quinn Yee Kwan LAW, SBS, JP, was appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 6 February 2015. Mr. Law currently serves as the Deputy Chairman of Professional Conduct Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is an advisor of the Hong Kong Business Accountants Association which he was previously the Director and the Vice President of such Association. Mr. Law is currently an Independent Nonexecutive Director of Bank of Tianjin Co., Ltd. (stock code:1578) and ENN Energy Holdings Limited (stock code: 2688), both of which are listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange. From 1 August 2012 to 31 July 2018, Mr. Law was a council member cum Audit Committee Chairman at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2013, Mr. Law was the Deputy Chairman and the Managing Director of the Urban Renewal Authority, a statutory organisation in Hong Kong. Mr. Law is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is also a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He was admitted as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators on 11 November 1980. In view of Mr. Law’s experience in reviewing or analysing audited financial statements of private and public companies, the Directors believe that Mr. Law has the appropriate accounting or related financial management expertise for the purposes of Rule 3.10 of the Listing Rules.
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During this summer the island of Corsica fell into our hands, and that by conduct as brilliant on the part of Nelson and the troops and seamen under him, as was at the time the formal inefficiency of our generals there. The Corsicans soon experienced the insolence and rapacity of the godless French Republicans, and rose in general insurrection. The patriot Paoli was the first to advise them to renounce all connection with such a race of fiends, and was, in consequence, proscribed by the Convention, but at the same time appointed General-in-Chief and President of the Council of Government by his own people. As he well knew that little Corsica was no match for France, he applied to the British for assistance. Lord Hood was then engaged in the defence of Toulon, but he sent a few ships and troops during the summer and autumn to Paoli's aid, and by this assistance the French were driven out of every part of the island except San Fiorenzo, Calvi, and Bastia. The mother of Buonaparte, and part of the family, who were living at Ajaccio, fled to France, imploring the aid of the Convention for her native island. Lord Hood, however, having evacuated Toulon, made haste to be beforehand with them. By the 7th of February, 1794, he had blockaded the three ports still in the hands of the French, and had landed five regiments, under the command of General Dundas, at San Fiorenzo. The French were soon compelled to evacuate the place, but they retreated to Bastia, without almost any attempt on the part of Dundas to injure or molest them. Lord Hood now urged the immediate reduction of Bastia, but Dundas, an incompetent officer, and tied up by all the old formal rules of warfare, declared that he could not attempt to carry the town till the arrival of two thousand fresh troops from Gibraltar. But there was a man of very different metal and notions serving there, namely, Nelson, who was indignant at this timid conduct. He declared that if he had five hundred men and the Agamemnon ship-of-war, he could take the place. Lord Hood was resolved that he should try, whilst he himself blockaded the harbour. Nelson, who declared his own seamen of the Agamemnon were of the right sort, and cared no more for bullets than for peas, had one thousand one hundred and eighty-three soldiers, artillerymen, and marines, with two hundred and fifty sailors, put under his command, with the title of brigadier. They landed on the 4th of April, dragged their cannon up to the tops of the rocks overhanging Bastia, to the astonishment of French, Corsicans, and the timid Dundas. On the 10th Nelson was aloft with his whole force, and with all his cannon in position. A body of Corsicans rather kept guard than gave any active assistance on another side of the town; for they had no cannon, or could not drag them up precipices like British seamen. On the 11th Lord Hood summoned the town to surrender; but the French commander and Commissioner, Lacombe-Saint-Michel, replied that he had red-hot shot for the ships and bayonets for the British soldiers, and should not think of yielding till he had two-thirds of his garrison killed. But Nelson, ably seconded by Colonel Vilettes, plied his artillery to such purpose, that, on the 10th of May, Lacombe-Saint-Michel made offer of surrender, and on the 19th the capitulation was completed. The French forces and the Corsicans in their interest were shipped off to Toulon, after the signing of the capitulation on the 21st; and now General D'Aubant, who had succeeded General Dundas, but who had continued lying at San Fiorenzo instead of assisting at the siege, came up with his troops and took possession of Bastia. The whole loss of the British in this brilliant affair was only fourteen men killed and thirty-four wounded. Calvi, the most strongly-situated and fortified[432] place, still remained to be taken. By the middle of June it was thoroughly invested, both by sea and land, and Nelson again serving on shore, assisted by Captains Hallowell and Serecold, was pouring shells and red-hot shot into the fort. Captain Serecold was killed at the very outset; but Nelson and Hallowell, chiefly with the sailors and marines, continued the bombardment through the terrible heat of the dog-days, and the enervating effects of malaria from stagnant ponds in the hills, and compelled the surrender on the 10th of August, but not before one-half of the two thousand men engaged were prostrated by sickness. The island was now, by the advice of Paoli, offered to the British Crown and by it accepted; but a gross blunder was made in not appointing Paoli Governor, as was expected both by himself and his compatriots. Instead of this most proper and conciliatory measure, Sir Gilbert Elliot was appointed Governor, to the disappointment and disgust of the Corsicans. Sir Gilbert attempted to gratify the islanders by framing a new Constitution for them, and granting them trial by jury; but neither of these institutions was adapted to their ideas, and both failed to heal the wound which the ignominious treatment of their great patriot occasioned.[257]The eyes of the world were now turned upon Rome. It was not to be expected that the Catholic Powers would allow the bark of St. Peter to go down in the flood of revolution without an effort to save it. Spain was the first to interpose for this purpose. Its Government invited France, Austria, Bavaria, Sardinia, Tuscany, and Naples to send plenipotentiaries to consult on the best means of reinstating the Pope. Austria also protested against the new state of things, complaining that the Austrian flag, and the arms of the empire on the palace of its ambassador at Rome, had been insulted and torn down. On the 8th of February a body of Austrian troops, under General Haynau, entered Ferrara, to avenge the death of three Austrian soldiers, and an insult offered to an Austrian consul. He required that the latter should be[587] indemnified, that the Papal colours should be again displayed, that the murderers of the soldiers should be given up, and that the city should support 10,000 Austrian troops. This was a state of things not to be endured by the French Republic, and its Government determined to interpose and overreach Austria, for the purpose of re-establishing French ascendency at Rome, even though based upon the ruins of a sister republic. The French Republicans, it is well known, cared very little for the Pope, but they were ready to make use of him to gratify their own national ambition. Their attack on the Roman Republic would therefore be fittingly described by the language which Pius IX. applied to that republic itself, as "hypocritical felony."
