Goh Sin Kho

Goh Sin Kho

Goh Syn Kho

Goh Sin Koh

Goh Syn Koh 

吳新科

吳翼鼎

吳進卿

Goh Sin Kho was a businessman who came to Singapore sometime in 1877, bringing along his wife and children . He was naturalized as a citizen on 22 Sep 1877.  He owned several sawmills and vessels plying along various trade routes . He was also a member of the Chinese advisory board. He traded under the Goh Guan Loo and co and was also the proprietor of Chop Tek Guan of 25 Telok Ayer Street 

According to some sources, In 1892, at the funeral of Tan Kim Ching (1829-1892), a local Hokkien community leader, the role of "dian zhu" (dotting the tablet) for his ancestral tablet was performed by Goh Sin Koh, testifying to his position as a leader in the Hokkien community 

He donated to the first Medical School the sum of $500 and also to the Confucius institute 

Arrivals.

The Straits Times, 21 April 1877, Page 3

British steamer Ferntower , consignee Goh Guan Loo 

LATEST MARKET QUOTATIONS.

Singapore Daily Times, 29 September 1877, Page 

Certificate of Naturalization were granted on 22nd Sep 1877 to Goh Syn Koh and Tan Moh Yong

SHIPPING IN THE HARBOUR

Singapore Daily Times, 2 May 1881, Page 3

1888 Jun 5 Lat Pau 

德源園題襟記

戊子猶清和月二旬有二日吳翼鼎觀察設宴於德源園中銘

恩遇也先是邊警方興閩防孔觀察情深報國慨捐鉅欵以濟閩軍閩督楊石帥念観察之公忠因為八告 彤廷特錫匾額以彰忠愛額曰誼篤維桑而楊石帥尤重観察之為人故特札為之獎論有洵南洋之奇士宜膺 北闕之殊榮等語而觀察荷兹 恩寵感激彌深而君子以觀察渥荷榮褒紛紛道賀是以觀察特於其山園中彀梨觴以欵客藉誌 

君恩是日所延諸賓為左子興都轉邱忠波觀察吳淡如夔甫兩太守黄吉亭司馬左樹南通尹莫翰卿上舍陳必達守戎暨家叔彬三兄以余習禮特以駕車相迓焉日也諸賓雖承主人之命便衣入座然皆長衣小不改宗國衣冠主人逆迓於門長揖肅客入俄而細樂和鳴主人乃具衣頂出延賓入席席分兩桌作東西向是日所演為京戲酒初巡掌班具手版至叩請點劇初作登壇拜將崑戲所以徵吉祥也半酣撤席卽作烟火之劇預於園中竪架高逾樹杪懸烟火而放之並施放花筒等物金蛇萬道珠絡千絲變幻不窮賞心悅目誠快觀也是日賓主唱酬頗極一時之樂其最難得者席聞所有道賀語頌楊語議論語問答語談笑語均無一字及於財利尤為高雅此商塲中罕見之奇也吾於是不禁喜而有說焉夫殷筵欵客亦事之常夫何喜之足云更何說之足云哉而吾所以喜者非喜其開筵宴客也所以說老亦非說其開筵宴客也然則何喜乎何喜而說乎蓋世俗之不文也亦甚矣而况迢迢海外其於中原聲教寂無所聞

旅是邦者惟向貿易塲中用其心力會不知功名為何物卽有仿卜式之納粟效相如之八資者亦不過徒

擁虛銜有其名目而巳幾會有眞存誠敬於胸中哉今使有人焉曰 朝廷名器所以勸賞有功也其典最

重人生得此實為莫大之榮此言也聞之者未嘗不非之笑之义使有人焉曰吾人寄旅天涯既獲餘養曷

莫報效朝廷冀得一命之榮以為光寵此言也聞者亦未嘗不迂之厭之世俗如斯久巳視名器為無用

之物說者謂中國近來功名大濫自捐輸例起則田舍翁多收數斛麥亦可以入資為郎然則又無怪世人之非之笑之迂之厭之者雖然亦不可以論也夫既謂功名為無用則何不遁跡以鳴高然而世人則又多好捐納功名迨既得之又復寂然且將置而不用是何故哉大抵以未有倡行之人故有所憚而不敢為耳乃幸觀察慨然典起彰 國恩於海嶠講禮讓於遐陬使我輩華人咸知功名之尊貫他日興仁起義禮讓成風使助地漸成衣冠文物之邦而觀察導引之功豈鮮也哉夫仰地素稱雖治之區蓋民俗得而難馴大率來黯者以工藝之輩為多學士文人鮮來是地是以械鬥搶刧之事層見叠出幾貲良有司除暴之心若使他日能化囂獷為純良則有功於地方者亦殊不鮮故是舉也不但僅為醼飲之娛起見而一種雍容恽生記肅穆已足開風化之先歸途儒筆以表之以為風俗人心勸云

惺噩生記

Here's the modified translation with the changes you requested:

Record of the Gathering at Teck Guan Garden

On the 22nd day of the second month in the year of Wuzi (1888) Goh Sin Kho hosted a banquet at Teck Guan Garden to commemorate an imperial favor. Previously, due to border alerts, Goh Sin Kho in Fujian, deeply committed to serving the country, generously donated a large sum to aid the Fujian army. The Fujian Governor Yang Shi, appreciating Goh Sin Kho's loyalty, petitioned the imperial court, which bestowed a plaque to honor his patriotism. The plaque read "Profound Loyalty to the Nation." Governor Yang Shi particularly esteemed Goh Sin Kho's character and specially wrote a commendation, stating, "Truly a remarkable talent from the Southern Seas, worthy of distinguished honors from the Northern Palace." Goh Sin Kho, deeply moved by this imperial grace, was filled with gratitude.

Gentlemen, impressed by Goh Sin Kho's honorable recognition, came in droves to offer congratulations. Thus, Goh Sin Kho specially hosted this gathering in his garden to entertain guests and commemorate the imperial favor. The invited guests that day included Left Zixing, the Provincial Administrative Commissioner; Qiu Zhongbo, the Observer; Wu Danru and Kui Fu, two Prefects; Huang Jiting, the Judge; Left Shunan, the Magistrate; Mo Hanqing, the First Rank Scholar; Chen Bida, the Military Officer; as well as Uncle Bin and Third Brother. As I was familiar with etiquette, I was specially sent to welcome them by carriage.

On that day, although the guests followed the host's instructions to dress casually, they all wore long robes, not deviating from the national dress code. The host greeted them at the gate with a deep bow, respectfully ushering the guests in. Soon after, soft music began to play, and the host, fully dressed, came out to lead the guests to their seats, arranged in two tables facing east and west. The performances that day were Beijing operas. After the first round of drinks, the lead performer came with a clapperboard to request the selection of plays. They began with "Ascending the Altar and Worshipping the Generals," a Kunqu opera piece to invoke good fortune.

Midway through the feast, tables were cleared for fireworks. A high scaffold, taller than the treetops, was erected in the garden to hang and launch fireworks and various pyrotechnic devices. Golden serpents danced in myriad paths, pearl-like sparks formed thousands of strings, endlessly transforming, delighting the eyes and hearts of all - truly a spectacular sight.

That day, host and guests exchanged toasts and reached the pinnacle of joy. Most remarkably, all the congratulatory words, praises for Yang, discussions, questions and answers, and jokes exchanged at the table did not include a single word about financial profits, which was particularly refined and rarely seen in the business world. I couldn't help but feel joy and have something to say about this.

Hosting feasts and entertaining guests is a common affair, so what is there to be particularly joyful or worth discussing? What I rejoice in is not the hosting of the banquet itself, nor is what I want to discuss about the feast itself. So what am I joyful about, and what do I want to discuss?

The lack of culture in the secular world is indeed severe, especially in this distant overseas land where the educational influence of the Central Plains is unheard. Those who travel to this country only focus their efforts on the trading markets, unaware of what fame and honor mean. Even if there are those who emulate Bu Shi in offering grain or imitate Xiangru in presenting eight gifts, they merely hold empty titles without substance. How many truly harbor sincerity and respect in their hearts?

Now, if someone were to say, "The honors bestowed by the imperial court are meant to reward those with merit. This system is of utmost importance, and receiving such honor is the greatest glory in one's life." Upon hearing this, people would invariably scoff and laugh. Similarly, if someone were to say, "As we sojourn in this distant land and have gained some surplus, shouldn't we repay the imperial court and seek the honor of an official title as a mark of glory?" Listeners would also deem it impractical and tire of such talk.

The secular world has long viewed official honors as useless objects. Some say that in recent times in China, official titles have become greatly devalued. Since the practice of obtaining ranks through donations began, even a farmer who harvests a few more bushels of wheat can become an official. Therefore, it's no wonder that people scoff at, laugh at, consider impractical, and tire of such notions.

However, this view cannot be the basis for argument. If one truly believes that fame and honor are useless, why not retreat from society and claim lofty ideals? Yet many in the world still like to donate for official titles. Once obtained, they become indifferent and set them aside unused. Why is this? It's likely because there hasn't been a leader to set an example, so people are hesitant to act.

Fortunately, Observer has boldly taken the initiative to manifest imperial favor in this coastal region and promote propriety and deference in this distant land. This allows us overseas Chinese to understand the dignity of official honors. In the future, when benevolence is promoted and propriety becomes the norm, helping this place gradually become a land of civility and culture, Observer's guiding contribution will be significant indeed.

This place has long been known as a difficult area to govern, with people's customs being hard to change. Most who come here are craftsmen, with few scholars and literati arriving. As a result, incidents of fighting and robbery occur frequently, nearly exhausting the efforts of good officials in suppressing violence. If one day the rough can be transformed into the refined, it would be a great service to the local area. Therefore, this gathering is not merely for the enjoyment of a feast. The emergence of a dignified and solemn atmosphere is enough to set a precedent for cultural transformation. On the way back, I record this with my scholarly brush to encourage social customs and people's hearts.

Recorded by Xing E Sheng (惺噩生記)

Likely a pen name or courtesy name of the author.

The Assizes.

Daily Advertiser, 17 March 1892, Page 3

Goh Sin Kho came to Singapore around 1877/1878 (14 years ago from 1892 as seen from the above) 

COLLISION IN THE STRAITS.

Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle, 8 February 1894, Page 3

A WEALTHY CHINAMAN SENT TO PRISON.

The Straits Times, 24 March 1900, Page 3

MR. GOH SIN KHO.

The Straits Times, 18 May 1900, Page 2

A NOVEL APPLICATION.

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly), 12 January 1897, Page 3

Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 25 September 1901, Page 2

ALLEGED SERIOUS FRAUD.

Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle, 3 October 1904, Page 5

Alleged Extensive Fraud.

The Straits Echo (Mail Edition), 7 October 1904, Page 15

Page 11 Advertisements Column 3

The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942), 9 July 1925, Page 11

Page 13 Advertisements Column 1

Malaya Tribune, 13 July 1931, Page 13

View of the courtyard house built in 1896 by timber merchant Goh Sin Koh at Sin Koh Street. The house was later turned into an ancestral temple for the Goh's.

Credit Line:

Ronni Pinsler Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Family 

Goh Sin Koh 

son

Goh Eng Kai, 

grandson Goh Cheng Jim

Goh Guan Loo and Co