HON. HUBERT ASHTON LaSELVE SIMPSON O.B.E. 1872-1938

HON. HUBERT ASHTON LaSELVE SIMPSON O.B.E.

1872-1938

One of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of Jamaica today is the Hon. Hubert Ashton LaSelve Simpson, member of the Legislative Council of Jamaica for the parish of Kingston. Aside from being the people’s representative in the local parliament, Mr. Simpson has also the unique distinction of being Mayor of the City at the same time.

He was born in Kingston in the year 1872. After finishing his education in the Kingston Collegiate School under the late William Morrison, M.A. Mr. Simpson entered government service in June 1891, but retired 20 months later to take up the study of law. He was admitted to practice as a solicitor in the courts of Jamaica in 1898, and has since that time practiced throughout the island.

In 1908 he was nominated for the vacant seat in the Legislative Council of Jamaica but was defeated by an almost 2 to 1 majority. Shortly after this the Kingston Citizen’s Association was formed and he was elected one of its vice-presidents, and served in that capacity for a considerable period.

In 1908, the general election for members of the mayor and council took place and he contested one seat and supported six other candidates, three of whom were elected along with himself. As a member of the mayor and council, Mr. Simpson has been able to produce improvements in the municipal affairs of Kingston, and impressed the community to the extent that in the general election for the Legislative Council in 1911, he was returned member for Kingston against his former opponent. In this position he has succeeded in getting the government to recognize the claims which the municipality of Kingston has on the central government for financial assistance to an extent that has never before been done. He has succeeded in amending the law under which the Kingston General Commissioners operate and under which they held their meetings in Camera. And now their meetings are thrown open to the public, a measure which has raised the usefulness of that department and has given the public knowledge of what it does, and what it does not do.

Rare Political Pin "VOTE FOR SIMPSON" Cir 1912

Mr. Simpson introduced the famous Shop Assistance Bill in the Legislative Council, which bill has now passed and become law; he has overcome the resistance which was raised by shopkeepers of the city. He also introduced and obtained the passing of a bill to facilitate recovery from defaulting tenants of premises, and after two years of work in the Legislative Council and continued service in the mayor and council, he was on the 8^th of October, 1912 elected Mayor of the city of Kingston.

That Mayor Simpson is a brilliant lawyer of remarkable legal ability no one can deny. In the Council, his legal training has aided him to a great extent in intelligently voicing the cause of the people whom he represents though styled as one of the radicals among the elected members by some of the newspapers. Mr. Simpson, to the thinking Jamaican, speaks with the voice of the new Jamaica; he is frank, fearless and honest of purpose. Source: New Era Magazine Cir 1912

Myrtle Bank, Harbour Street, Kingston

Myrtle Bank Sanitarium, Private Hotel, Harbour Street, Kingston Cir 1870

THE SANITARIUM AT MYRTLE BANK

Kingston is warm, but it is the best locality for invalids, in consequence of the great dryness of the atmosphere there and the equality of the temperature both day and night. In other districts invalids are subject to heavy dew, rain and greater fluctuations of the thermometer. There is a “Sanitarium” at Myrtle Bank, located on the sea beach at Kingston, which is a select “Boarding Establishment and Private Hotel”, where invalids and tourist generally put up, particularly families. It is the head-quarters of Americans, literary men and scientific travelers, and is conducted by Mr. James Gall (of Edinburgh). The terms of board are 10 shillings per day, or three guineas per week, with 6 pence a day extra for attendance. There is a fine lawn and shady walks, a cocoanut grove down to the sea – a jetty, pleasure boats and a marine bath in charge of a Mr. WM. Wingrave – a billiard table and a news room. The ground presents, perhaps, one of the sweetest spots on the island, beautifully retired, with a fine garden bearing tropical fruits and flowers; it offers a commanding view of the mountain with the harbor of Kingston and its approaches. Medical aid is within a few minutes call and although here everyone feels away in the country and altogether out of the City of Kingston, yet at Myrtle Bank he is within but a few minute’s walk to the Post Office, the Court House, The Treasury, the Church, and the Mail Co. Wharf. Cars run past the door to and from all parts of the city every 10 minutes. The average temperature of the year is only 74 deg. At Myrtle Bank, the maximum being 89 deg.

Myrtle Bank Sanitarium Cir 1870

MYRTLE BANK, in east Harbour Street, is a Select Boarding Establishment and Private Family Hotel, managed Mrs. James Gall, of Edinburgh; the site was originally the chief watering place of the city, and was known as “McLean’s Ship Building Yard”. Here there is an abundant supply of the most beautiful and wholesome drinking water, fed from the never failing springs, which have their origin in the Hope River. The water percolates the lime and iron stone strata of the mountain. Before the introduction of the Kingston Water Company’s pipes, this yard supplied all Kingston and shipping of the harbor with drinking water. The premises are now converted into a Sanitarium for invalids and tourists. The grounds are nicely laid out, and a large pond with a running stream into the sea, gives additional beauty to the rich foliage of the tropical garden which is shaded with nearly every description of Tropical Fruit Trees, Flowers, Fern and Palm.

A early advertising for Myrtle Bank Sanitarium in1879:

Myrtle Bank Back Garden from Kingston Harbour Cir 1880

Hotels in Jamaica are few; but the best Private Family Hotel is the Sanitarium at Myrtle Bank conducted by Mrs. James Gall. It is select, and present to strangers, tourist and invalids all the comforts and privacy of home. It is the head quarters of Americans and all the Literati. The premises are picturesquely situated on the sea beach, and out of the noise and thoroughfare of the city but yet within a gunshot of the Mail Co. Wharf. There is morning coffee – and two ordinaries daily. The table is well kept, and presents all the Tropical Dishes in their season. The ground affords shady walks and a lawn, an avenue of cocoanut trees, a jetty, marine baths-fresh water baths-pleasure boats-and outdoor amusement. The garden abounds in tropical fruit trees, flowers and ferns, Natural History Specimens-Marine Curiosities-and a fern walk. The best medical aid in the island is within a few moments call (terms 10 shillings per day or 3 guineas per week, boots and attendance 6 pence per day). Reference is kindly granted by all the medical faculty in Kingston, Capt. Parks, Superintendant of The Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., Messrs. McDowell and Hankey, agents of The Atlas
Line of Steamers and the American Council.

The Myrtle Bank Sanitarium was purchase by the Jamaica Government in 1889/90 and totally rebuilt as a first class hotel in time for the 1891 Worlds Fair in Kingston, Jamaica

The new Myrtle Bank Hotel built in 1890 for the Worlds Fair 1891