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Sir George Ferguson Bowen, GCMG , PC (Chinese Translated Name 寶雲) ( November 2 , 1821 - February 21 , 1899 ) was a British Colonial Governor who became the 9th Governor of Hong Kong . EARLY LIFE George Bowen was born the eldest son of the Rev. Edward Bowen, in Taughboyne , County Donegal , Ireland . He was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Oxford , where two of his predecessors were also educated. Bowen, twice President of the Union, was awarded a first class degree in Classics in 1844 , and was elected a fellow of Brasenose College . He received an MA degree in 1847 and entered Lincoln's Inn in 1844 . From 1847 to 1851 he was president of the Ionian University of Corfu . COLONIAL SERVICES In 1854 George Bowen served as the chief secretary of government in the Ionian Islands . Five years later, he was appointed the first Governor Of Queensland , a colony that had just been separated from New South Wales . He was interested in the exploration of Queensland and in the establishment of a Volunteer force, but incurred some unpopularity by refusing to sanction the issue of inconvertible Paper Money during the financial crisis of 1866 . In 1867 Bowen was made Governor of New Zealand , where he was successful in reconciling the Māori 's reaction to the British rule there, and saw the end of the struggle between the colonists and the natives. (For a rather different view of the conflict and its partial resolution, see New Zealand Land Wars ). He also instituted the New Zealand Cross , one of the rarest bravery awards in the world, equivalent to the Victoria Cross . In 1872 Bowen was transferred to Victoria (Australia) as Governor Of Victoria , where he embarked on an endeavour to reduce the expenses of the colony, and in 1879 he became Governor of Mauritius . GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG In March 30 of 1883, Bowen was made Governor of Hong Kong , a position in which he served until 1887 , when he retired due to ill health. This was his last post in the Colonial Service. During his tenure, Bowen established the Royal Observatory , which became the meteorological institute for all of Hong Kong. He also established the first college in the territory, and ordered the construction of the Typhoon Shelter in Causeway Bay , and a government hospital. POST-GOVERNORSHIP Bowen retired to England after his tenure as Governor of Hong Kong, and was appointed as a chief of a Royal Commission which was sent to Malta with regard to the new constitution for the island in December 1887 . All recommendations made by Bowen were adopted. Afterwards, Bowen served as a Privy Councillor . PERSONAL LIFE Bowen was married twice. His first wife was Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, daughter of Count Candiano Di Roma . They had a son and four daughters. His second wife was Florence, daughter of Dr T. Luby. Bowen died in 1899 . HONOURS
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PLACES NAMED AFTER HIM
The town of Roma and the Diamantina River , both in Queensland, are named after his first wife, Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen. EXTERNAL LINKS
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