I have an old Hong Kong map (before 1940) which shows the east end of Kennedy Road joining Queens Road East just next to Wanchai gap Road.
As we know it is now it now joins QRE about a hundred yards further east just below Wah yan College.
When did this move did place and why?
Thanks,
john Murray
By curious coincidence - given what's happening in HK at the moment - this weekend marks the 100th anniversary of another time when the people of Hong Kong gathered together in all the streets and public places, both on the island and in Kowloon. Hostilities had ceased, of course, on 11th November the previous year, but peace and the end of the war could not be declared until a treaty had been agreed - the Treaty of Versaille - signed on 28th June 1919.
Hong Kong was set to have its victory celebrations over the first weekend of August - the 5th anniversary of the start of the war - but then was directed by London to fall into line with the rest of the British Empire and hold them from the evening of Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July. Committees were formed (Hong Kong then was very fond of its committees) and all the hotels, merchant houses, shops and businesses were urged to decorate their buildings for the event. The request was met by a more than enthusiastic response and the decorations stretched a long way down both Queen's Road East and West, along the waterfront of both the island and Kowloon and through many the Kowloon streets, but with the most lavish in the central part of the city, especiallly around Statue Square. The town was strewn with the flags of all the allied nations, including thousands of Union Jacks, of course, whilst the pillars and columns of buildings were wound with banners of red, white and blue. Kowloon preserved its more spacious feel by replicating this, but interspersing all with lots of evergreen foliage.
However, it was really by night that the festivities got going and showed to best advantage. Every building, it was reported, was lit up by red lanterns - hundreds of thousands, the Hongkong Telegraph thought - used often to outline the architectural shape of the building, to encircle window openings and to create arches. Bamboo scaffolding was erected in front of some buidlings or over the roofs of others on which to create 'scenes' or write words - typically 'Peace' or 'Victory' in red lanterns - the 'Victory and Peace' on Sir Paul Chater's house was so large that it could be seen all over the town, whilst Governent House contented itself with a more modest - but huge - G R (Georgius rex). The great majority of these red lanterns were of paper with a candle inside, for the electricity supply of the colony could never have coped with demand on this scale. Electric light seems to have been reserved for the government's decorative contributions - great clusters of white lights round the statues, and for the decoration of some of the trams - which had their own generating plant, of course.
In the harbour all the war ships - including a Japanese one - were similarly festooned, with many of the smaller craft and sampans doing their bit. The Star ferries - so covered with lantenns that they appeared as a bright red glow on the water - could be followed having to weave their way across the harbour. The Water Police Station presented a magnificent spectacle, quite visible from the island side, glowing in red, white and blue. Looking back to the island from Kowloon, the journalists recorded seeing the place just as one huge red haze. And although surely the Hongkong Fire Brigade must have been on (red) alert, there seems to have been only one report of a blaze - when a lantern on St George's Building in Central caught fire - but was quickly extinguished by bystanders.
Two weekends earlier there had been the more solemn commemoration of the end of the war, when all the churches and places of worship held special services of thanksgiving and remembrance, reported in great detail in the press. Now, this weekend was the time for jollity - among the other events were dinners and receptions for those who had given conspicuous service to Hong Kong, to the returned soldiers and airmen and to members of the Navy then in harbour. An investiture was held where Legislative Council member Sir Boshan Wei Yuk recieved the Patent of Kngiht Bachelor and Mr. E.R. Hallifax (Secretary for Chinese Affairs) and Mr. C. McI. Messer (Captain Superintendent of Police) received the OBE. More public events included a review of military and naval exercises held on the Cricket Ground and watched by many thousands and a grand motor car cavalcade, with Hong Kong's latest must-have expressions of wealth all lavishly decorated and containing a young lady suitably robed and striking a pose to represent the spirit of the day. Prizes were awarded to the most impressive, the acting Governor, Mr. Claude Severn, CMG, being one of the judges.
The only damp squib of the weekend - the weather held fine throughout - was the fireworks display. The Hongkong Telegraph reported that even senior members of the organizing committees had publically expressed their disappointment, for $10,000 had been spent on a display that produced so much smoke that few rockets or catherine wheels could be seen. The fireworks had come from the American company Hitts, but the Telegraph lamented that the business had not been given to a Chinese firm, who, it believed, could have produced a far superior spectacle.
What a difference a hundred years makes. I'm hoping that Moddsey or another clever Gwulo-ite will be able to link images of postcards/photos of the scenes to this - I'm sure they exist on this site somewhere.
Patricia O'Sullivan 21.7.2019
My great-great grandfather, Andrew Johnston, died in 1896 in California, but lived and worked in Hong Kong. Probate was granted for him in Hong Kong and I'd love to see a copy of his Will. I've emailed Hong Kong Probate Registry who have replied saying that an application for a deceased's Will "can be made by or with the consent of the grantee of the probate". As that person is long gone, I wondered if this was the end of the road, or has anyone managed to obtain a copy of a 19th century Will from Hong Kong Probate Registry? Many thanks.
In 2008, the HK goverment funded a project to research Hong Kong’s War Crimes Trials conducted in the years 1946-1948. A total of 46 cases with 123 accused persons were studied. An overwiew of this project can be found here.
Of special interest might be the case WO235/1012:
In this case five Japanese officers were charged to have committed war crimes:
Col. Tokunaga Isao (D1)
Capt. Saito Shunkichi (D2)
Lt. Tanaka Hitochi (D3)
Int. Tsutada Itsuo (D4)
Sgt. Harada Jotaro (D5)
One of the charges was:
First Charge (against all Accused)
“COMMITTING A WAR CRIME, in that they at SHAM SHUI PO, HONG KONG, between the 24 January 1942 and the 15 August 1945 when members of the Prisoners-of-War Camp Staff under the command of the first named accused, and responsible for the well-being of British, Canadian and Dutch Prisoners-of-War interned in the SHAM SHUI PO Prisoners-of-War Camp were, in violation of the laws and usages or war, together concerned in the inhumane treatment of the said Prisoners-of-War resulting in the deaths of some and in physical sufferings to others.”
The trial was conducted from October 1946 to February 1947, the judgement day was 1947-02-14.
Sentence Imposed
D1: death by hanging, commuted to imprisonment of life;
D2: death by hanging, commuted to 20 years imprisonment
D3: 3 years imprisonment
D4: 2 years imprisonment
D5: 1 year imprisonment
Further reading here.
(Note: Italic text is a citation from the report)
I have just spent a week on holiday in Montrose Scotland and the first thing that caught my attention was a famous castle fortress, Dunnottar (dunnOTTar) and a smaller castle, Abergeldie - names we know from the early days on the Peak
Abergeldie Castle, by annelisec
Hello readers,
Has anyone have any information about GBHarris and Violet
Harris in Stanley camp? They have 8 children.
George first son is called Ron. The eldest daughter is Pearl.
Has anyone knows them? I really want to know what happened in the camp? George mum is also in the camp
het name is Ann Harris (Chung).
Copy of original available online at HKGRO. (You may need to click the link twice to see the document.)
[excerpts]
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1892.
SIR, I have the honour to forward you a report on the works carried out by this Department during the past year. Owing to the amalgamation of the Surveyor General's and the Water and Drainage Departments early in the year, I propose to deal in this report with the whole of the Public Works previously in charge of these two departments.
[.......]
WORK UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE.
89. Two hundred, and twenty-two (222) buildings have been certified under Section 53 of Ordinance 15 of 1889.
90. Permission has been given to erect 41 verandahs and 12 piers over Crown Land.
91. Notices have been issued to remove or repair dangerous structures in 117 instances and to remove verandah enclosures in 3.
92. Seven hundred and ninety-five (795) miscellaneous notices and permits for the erection of scaffolding, opening roads, &c., &c., have been issued.
93. Forty-eight (48) permits have been issued for the erection and repair of monuments and enclosures in the Colonial Cemetery, the fees for which amount to $88.16.
[.......]
EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC WORKS.
95. Central Market—The difficulty experienced in getting the contractor for the construction of the foundations and walls of this building to the level of the plinth to complete his contract, delayed the entry of another contractor to complete the building until the middle of August last, though the tender of Messrs. CHAN A TONG & Co., Contract No. 13/1892, . for the completion of the building was accepted in May. Since August the work has proceeded rapidly and in a very satisfactory manner. The walls are now up to within about 4 feet of the level of the upper floor and the columns, 94 in number for supporting the floor, have been erected.
96. The whole of the ironwork for the upper floor has arrived, and the erection of the girders, &c., will be proceeded with very shortly. The work already done under the present contract includes the building of 1,000 cubic yards of brickwork and 8,000 cubic feet of dressed granite, in addition to the erection of the columns before mentioned.
97. The area of the site occupied by the market is 51,274 square feet and the floor-space on each floor is over 30,000 square feet.
98. The Gap Rock Lighthouse.—This work was practically completed by the 1st of April last on which date the light was first exhibited.
99. The steam tender Fame has been maintained in good order and since the completion of the Lighthouse has been used for conveying men and materials for the erection of additional quarters for the telegraph clerk now stationed at the Rock in connection with the signalling of vessels, and for the relief of the lightkeepers.
100. The Fame was handed over to the Harbour Department in September.
101. Reclamation in front of Marine Lots 240 to 246 Kennedy Town.—This work has been carried out by this department on behalf of the owners of the above lots. During the past year 14,500 cubic yards of filling, 517 cubic yards of concrete have been deposited in this work and 4,200 cubic feet of masonry set. The work is now practically completed.
102. Training Albany Nullah and Branches.—This work was completed in June last. It has, however, been found advisable to extend the substantial masonry invert through the tunnel under the Albany service reservoir, and this extension is now in hand.
103. New Roads and Preparatory Work Kennedy Road Sites.—The MacDonnell Road has been completed as far as it is at present proposed to carry it, but before this road is much used it will be necessary to improve its approach from the Garden Road by extending the road for its full width to join the Garden Road, necessitating re-arranging and re-constructing the Gardeners' Cottages.
104. The re-arrangement and re-construction of the Gardeners' Cottages will not only make reasonable approach to the MacDonnell Road practicable but will place at the disposal of the Botanical and Afforestation Department sanitary buildings for the accommodation of its workmen and will effect a long-needed improvement in the much frequented neighbourhood of Garden Road.
105. Re-construction of Praya Bridge over Bowrington Canal.—This work was completed and opened for traffic in March last.
106. Cattle Depot Extension.—The extension of the Cattle Depot at Kennedy Town providing additional accommodation for 120 head of cattle was completed in June last. The total accommodation at this depot now being for 480 head. The work was carried out in a satisfactory manner by Mr. CHEUNG NAM.
107. A shed, 65 feet long by 20 feet wide, has also been erected for the storage of fodder.
108. Slaughter house, Pig and Sheep Depot.—The preparation of the site for these buildings was completed in June last. Plans and detail drawings for the buildings have been prepared and their erection will be commenced very shortly. A report on and detail plans of this work were forwarded to you on the 26th of June and adopted by the Sanitary Board on the 21st of July.
109. Slaughter House, Kowloon.—This building was completed in June last and meets a want long felt by the residents in British Kowloon.
110. Public Laundries.—The ten public laundries, which were in process of erection when I wrote my last annual report, have been completed and three are at present occupied at a rental of $15 each per month.
111. Civil Hospital Staff Quarters.—After considerable trouble with the contractor I am glad to be able to report this building was completed and occupied in June last.
112. Quarters for Superintendent of Botanical and Afforestation Department.—This building was completed in February last by Mr. YEE RING in a very satisfactory and expeditious manner. The old quarters, which had become beyond repair and practically uninhabitable, have been removed.
113. Vaccine Institute.—This establishment was completed in March last and handed over to the Medical Department.
114. Additions to Government house.—The installation of the Electric Light and internal decoration of this building have been completed during the past year. The electric lighting and decoration of the Ball room was finished early in the year, the remainder of the work was postponed till the summer.
115. Telegraph Cable to Gap Rock.—Providing telegraphic communication between the City of Victoria and the Gap Rock Lighthouse involved the construction of 5.25 statute miles of land line, and the laying of 29.80 nautical miles of cable.
116. The land line constructed of galvanized iron wire No. 7. B.W.G. commencing at the Post Office is carried on iron poles along Pedder Street, the Praya, Zetland Street and Albert Road to the High-Level Tramway, then across Crown land on the west of the Tramway to Bowen Road, along the Bowen and Stanley Roads to Little Hongkong, and hence across Crown land to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Cable House at Deep Water Bay.
Copy of original available online at HKGRO. (You may need to click the link twice to see the document.)
[excerpts]
HONGKONG.
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.
Report for the Year 1891.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 25th January, 1892.
No. 23. SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 13th January, 1892.
Sir,—I have the honour to forward you the following report on the works carried out by the Surveyor General's Department during the year 1891.
ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
2. Repairs of Buildings.—The number of Buildings of all descriptions the maintenance of which has been under the charge of this department was at the beginning of the year 114, a complete list of which will be found in the Blue Book.
3. The whole of these with the exception of Mountain Lodge, Whitfield Police Station, Shaukiwan School, the Old Central School and Shamshuipo School, have been maintained in a satisfactory state of repair throughout.
4. The following buildings have been painted externally :—The Government Civil Hospital (New Wing), the European Lunatic Asylum, Number 9 Police Station, the Police Stations at Hung Horn and Shaukiwan, and the Sai-ying-poon and Hung Horn Markets.
5. The construction of a small addition to the Magistracy consisting of two rooms providing additional accommodation for the clerical staff has been commenced.
6. The present condition of Mountain Lodge is most unsatisfactory ; the buildings were erected some years ago, before residence in the Hill District assumed anything like the proportions it has done of recent years, and are now in a dilapidated condition and practically unfit for occupation.
The cost of repairing the existing buildings would be considerable and the accommodation provided falls far short of that necessary for even ordinary comfort during so lengthened a residence in the Hill District as it has of late years been deemed desirable to make.
The time has undoubtedly arrived, owing to the natural decay of the existing buildings, when some steps should be taken-to replace them by a more substantial and convenient structure.
7. Whitfield Police Station has been vacated by the police and is now let for the purposes of an inn.
8. Shaukiwan School not being any longer required and being in a dilapidated condition, it was considered advisable to pull it down.
9. The Old Central School buildings have remained unoccupied, except by a caretaker, but it is not advisable to remove them pending some decision being arrived at as to the future utilisation of the site.
10. The school building at Shamshuipo has been in a dilapidated state and unoccupied for the greater part of the year and owing to the establishment of a Basil Mission School in this village no further demand at present appears to exist for a Government school building in this locality.
11. Maintenance of Telegraph.—The Government Telegraph lines have been maintained in a fairly satisfactory condition, but more active supervision in respect of the alignment of the poles and the fixing of the wires appears necessary.
At present there are 51 miles of land line and 3.3 miles of sub-marine lines which have been maintained during the past year. Two-and-one-half (2½i) miles of land line were constructed during 1891.
[…..]
32. A new bridge has been constructed over the stream at the north end of Yaumati Village and the Swing Bridge on the Praya over the entrance to the Police dock which was damaged by the gale in July last has been repaired.
33. Street Lighting.—Previous to 1st of December, 1890, the City had for some years past been lighted exclusively by gas supplied by the Hongkong and China Gas Company. At the commencement of 1891 there existed 857 lamps.
In October, 1890, a contract was entered into with the Electric Company for the erection of 64 arc lights in the central and eastern portions of the City. These were first lighted in December, 1890.
In April last a contract was made for the erection of eleven additional lamps which were lighted in September last.
34. The total number at present erected is therefore 75, the estimated candle power of which is 150,000 and the annual cost of lighting $22,000.
35. There at present exist in addition to electric lights 653 gas lamps exclusive of those in the Military Cantonment. The annual cost of lighting and maintaining which is $23,000.
36. In addition to the foregoing there are fifteen gas lamps in the Military Cantonment towards which the Colony pays $250.50 per annum.
37. Making the total annual cost of lighting the public thoroughfares of the City $45,750.50.
38. The following is a short description of the system of electric lighting adopted; for much of the information I am indebted to Mr. W. H. WICKNAM, the Company's Engineer, under whose supervision the work has been carried out :—
39. The Central Station of the Electric Company is situated in Wing Fung Street, in which is installed the Plant for supplying the arc lamps in the public streets.
40. The Plant consists of 3 engines driving 3 dynamos of the type known as " Brush Series Arc Light Dynamos" each dynamo being capable of supplying 50 to 55 arc lamps of 2,000 candle power nominal. One of these Engines and Dynamos are held in reserve.
41. The 75 arc lamps, at present supplied, are connected in two separate circuits, one supplying 39 lamps and the other 36 lamps, arranged so that the first circuit supplies the lamps in the central and western portions of the City on the Queen's Road level, and the second supplies the lamps in the upper portion of the City and Queen's Road East.
42. The total length of conducting wires employed is about-eleven miles. The conductor used consists of a strand of 7 wires each No. 16 B. W. G. tinned hard-drawn copper, and is continuously insulated with vulcanized india-rubber protected by a braided covering, and is suspended from a steel wire bearer consisting of a strand of 3 No. 14 B. W. G. galvanized wires, these bearers being supported on Porcelain Fluid Insulators carried overhead on Tubular Iron Poles along the thorough-fares of the City.
43. The arc lamps are known as the Brokie-Pell type, and contain regulating mechanism to adjust the Carbon Pencils as these consume. The Carbon Pencils are renewed in each lamp daily.
44. The Electric Difference of Potential at the terminals of the two circuits of 39 and 36 lamps is about 2,050 and 1,930 volts respectively, and the current supplied in either circuit ranges between 9.6 and 9.3 amperes. As the lamps are connected in series the current supplied to the most distant lamp is of the same value as that supplied to the nearest.
Can anyone provide an answer to a question that has puzzled me over many years? The shrapnel damage on the two bronze lions outside the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in Central is only on their relatively protected sides closest to the bank. Why, if we can reasonably assume that the lions would always have been positioned facing away from the bank, as they are today, is there no shaprnel damage on the side facing the harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui from where shells would have been fired during December 1941?
Am I missing something? Andrew Suddaby
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 2ND MAY, 1891.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 200.
The following Report on the operations of the Public Works for the year 1890, which was laid before the Legislative Council on the 30th ultimo, is published for general information.
By command,
W.M.DEANE Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary’s Office, Hongkong 2nd May, 1891
____________________________________________________________
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, HONGKONG, 28th February, 1891.
SIR,—I have the honour to forward for the information of His Excellency the Governor the following Report on the operations of the Public Work's Department during the year 1890. This Report is divided under the following heads:--
[….]
II—PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY.
CENTRAL MARKET.
8. A contract for the foundations and retaining walls was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG on 23rd May last, and the work was forthwith commenced. Fairly good progress has been made. It has been found necessary to pile the whole of the trenches on the north, or Praya side. Up to 31st December 385 hardwood piles had been driven and there remained to drive about 200. A requisition for the columns, floor girders and beams was forwarded to the Crown Agents in June last. The detailed drawings of the superstructure are nearly completed, and tenders will shortly be called for, so that the Contractor may be in a position to commence operations early in the spring immediately after the completion of the foundations.
GAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE
9. Although all preparations had been previously made; it was only found practicable to effect a permanent landing, and establish a detachment of workmen on the 'Rock, on 21st March last. From that time to the present steady progress line has been made. Two derricks were fixed—one on the eastern, and another on the western side of the rock, which have greatly facilitated operations, and allow landing to be effected when otherwise it would be altogether impracticable. The first operations undertaken were to form convenient approaches from the landing places to the summit of the rock, and to provide suitable quarters for the workmen employed. Substantial brick coolie quarters have been erected capable of lodging 100 men, while on the upper floor there is a suitable apartment for one European Foreman. A brick water tank capable of containing 5,600 gallons has been constructed closely adjoining the coolie quarters. The preparation of the site for-the lighthouse was then proceeded with, in which operation it was found necessary to remove by blasting about 1,000 tons of hard metamorphic rock. The foundation stone of the Tower was laid by the Officer Administering the Government on 1st September last, and the erection of the Tower and Light-keepers' quarters has since progressed steadily. The basement floor which contains a permanent water tank to hold 12,000 gallons has been completed, and on 31st December the masonry had reached the level of 4 feet above the Tower platform. The number of workmen employed on the rock has varied from 50 to 95. Notwithstanding the heat and glare from the bare surface of the rock, the health of all employed has been exceptionally good, which may be in part attributed to the care taken to provide proper lodgings, and to maintain them in good sanitary condition, as also to ensure a regular supply of food and fresh water. No serious interruption has occurred to the progress of the work except during the gale of 16th October last, when an exceptionally heavy sea struck the rock and recoiled on to the water tank situated 68 feet above sea-level. The weight of the wave broke the cover of the tank, and admitted a certain quantity of salt water. On this news reaching me, immediate steps were taken to send down a supply of fresh water. During the same gale a considerable quantity of dressed granite, bricks, and sand, were washed off the rock, and the derrick on its eastern face was carried away. With this exception the work has proceeded regularly, and without accident, or other unusual incident. The progress made reflects much credit on Mr. J. R. MUDIE, the Executive Engineer in charge, and Mr. DONALD FRASER, Foreman, who has resided continuously on the rock since April last.
TRAINING ALBANY NULLAH AND BRANCHES AND PREPARATION OF KENNEDY ROAD SITES.
10. A contract for this work was entered into on 4th October last and the work has since been pushed rapidly forward: The masonry of the Channel for the Albany Nullah is nearly completed as far as the Tramway Station; the bridge on the Kennedy Road is in progress, and the small storm channel west of the Tramway is well advanced. I am urging the Contractor to push on with this important work, with a view to its completion if possible before the rainy season begins.
IMPROVEMENTS RECREATION GROUND—HAPPY VALLEY.
11. A contract for filling in the round pond or lake was entered into on 11th July last, and although considerable difficulties have been encountered in obtaining the large quantity (64,000 cubic yards) of material required to fill in this pond, without interfering unduly with the old Chinese cemetery, and private property, rapid progress has been made and the work is approaching completion. About 15,130 square yards of the area within the Race Course have been returfed, but it need hardly be said that the unusually protracted drought has severely tried both the old and new turf. It is proposed to push on as rapidly as possible with the diversion of the canal, and other work remaining to complete these improvements, which when carried out will very nearly double the area available for purposes of recreation.
[….]
POLICE STATION-ABERDEEN.
20. A contract was entered into and these buildings were commenced on 28th October last. Fair progress has since been made.
POLICE STATION - QUARRY BAY.
21. A site having been selected in consultation with the Captain Superintendent of Police on the rising ground forming the western boundary of Quarry Bay, the working drawings were prepared, the contract let and the work was commenced on 19th November last.
DISTRICT SCHOOL-SAIYINGPUN.
22. A convenient site for this school house which is to serve for the western district of Victoria, having been selected by the Inspector of Schools, a contract was entered into and the work was commenced on 17th September last. The foundations have been completed and the walling is progressing satisfactorily.
Work in progress: this page summarises the resources on Gwulo that cover this period.
Before the fighting - preparing to defend Hong Kong
The Historic Military Buildings in Hong Kong page lists many of the artillery batteries and other military buildings that were built around Hong Kong in the decades leading up to the war. Around 1940, many pillboxes were built to supplement the larger batteries.
As war seemed ever more likely, preparations were made to protect the civilian population. The government built air raid shelters around the city - either ARP tunnels if the land was hilly, or pen shelters if the land was flat. Outside the city, shelter areas and food stores were set up to house refugees and to feed Hong Kong in the case of a siege.
To do:
I have been very interested to follow the discussion about Wan Chai Methodist Church. I am a museum curator at Manchester Museum in the UK. I am researching for a new China gallery opening in 2021. I am trying to find photographs of Revd Edgar Dewstoe (1873-1951) who laid the foundation stone at the building of the church in 1936. He and his wife Sallie or Sarah's collection of textiles and other objects are now in Whitworth Art Gallery. We would like to show them in the new gallery as an example of the connections between Manchester and China. One of your subscribers mentioned that there is film of this foundation ceremony. I'd be really interested to take a look at this if possible.
Bryan
I'm trying to get hold of a copy of a book......
The Vital Link Hong Kong's First Airline Imperial Airways (Far East) Ltd. 1935 - 1940.
English edition. Author: Ian D. Johnson. Published in 2007 by SoftRepublic Limited, Hong Kong.
ISBN: 978-988-99449-9-5
Can't find it for sale on the internet. Have asked Flow Bookshop in Hong Kong and Mary Martin Books in Singapore but have had no response.
Has anyone got a copy of this book they no longer want/need, or can anyone suggest where I may obtain a copy? Anyone know if the author/his family are contactable?
I'm keen to read this book because my uncle was Manager of Imperial Airways in Hong Kong from early 1937 to 1939/40. He returned to England, UK, in WW2 to join the RAF and sadly lost his life in 1941.
Any suggestions as to how I can obtain a copy of this book would be most welcome. Thanks. I live in England, UK.
No. 184.—It is hereby notified that in order to prevent confusion arising from the existence of duplicate names of streets in Hongkong and Kowloon, His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct that the streets in the subjoined list be re-named as shewn therein.
STREETS IN HONGKONG.
Old Names | New Names.
Chater Street | Catchick Street
Albany Street | Tai Yuan Street
East Street | Tung Street
West Street | Sai Street
STREETS IN KOWLOON.
Chater Street | Peking Road
Des Voeux Road | Chatham Road
Garden Road | Hankow Road
Robinson Road | Nathan Road
Macdonnell Road | Canton Road
Elgin Road | Haiphong Road
East Road | Hanoi Road
East Avenue | Sainam Avenue
East Terrace | Wuchow Terrace
STREETS IN YAUMATI.
First Street | Kansu Street
Second Street | Pakhoi Street
Third Street | Saigon Street
Fourth Street | Ningpo Street
Fifth Street | Nanking Street
Kennedy Street | Woosung Street
Seventh Lane | Yunnan Lane
Fuk Shing Lane | Suchow Lane
Macdonnell Road | Canton Road
Station Street North | Shanghai Street
Station Street South | Shanghai Street
Sixth Street | Jordan Road
(to junction with Gascoigne Road.)
Eighth Street | Bowring Street
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, | Notice boards to be removed with
5th and 6th Lanes | these numbers on them as the
lanes are merely scavenging lanes.
Temple Street is to be continued northwards to Man Ming Lane, Yaumati.
Portland Street is to be continued Southwards to the same point.
STREETS IN MONGKOKTSUI.
Macdonnell Road | Canton Road
Hill Street | Changsha Street
Nullah Lane | Shantung Lane
Station Street North | Shanghai Street
STREETS IN HUNGHOM.
Old Names | New Names.
Des Voeux Road | Chatham Road
Third Lane | Nanning Lane
Hill Street | Tientsin Street
Market Street | Wuhu Street
Station Street | Taku Street
STREETS IN FUNG TSUN HEUNG.
High Street | Newchwang Street
Praya | Chungking Street
Station Street | Foochow Street
F. H. May,
Colonial Secretary.
19th March, 1909.
(A copy of the original is available at http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1909/11841.pdf - you may need to click the link twice to access the document.)
I’m still stuck on finding the sea voyages of several members of my family, who sneak out of Hong Kong and sneak back again on wily routes, it seems. If I were able to check every single arrival and departures list in the newspapers, I would find them, but apart from the passenger lists on Ancestry.com I’m several voyages short and wonder if I can once more ask for help, in case anyone is better at newspaper searches than me (surely!), or can access websites that I can’t. I think the route via Kobe was sometimes used.
Among those I’m missing:
1895 Charles Warren aged 23 from Cape of Good Hope to Hong Kong
1915 Miss Evelyn Warren (aged 14) Hong Kong to England – surely not alone.
1920-1922 Hannah Mabel Warren aged 50-52 to London (although a Mabel Warren sails from Shanghai to London 3 July 1922 and this might be her)
(Iris Warnes, (b. 1906) Hannah’s niece, is with her in London, but looking older than she would be at the above dates.)
1927 Charles Reginald Warren (aged 18) Hong Kong to Colombo.
1928 Arthur Cecil Warren (aged 22) – Hong Kong to England for medical treatment twice.
1928 Mr & Mrs Warren and family – Hong Kong to England on leave – Leslie, Cicely, Geoffrey and Diana.
What I already have is:
1915 May 25. Hannah Mabel Warren. Passenger List Hongkong to Victoria & Vancouver, British Columbia– (daughter Evelyn not listed)
1915 June 16 Hannah Warren sails from Montreal, Quebec to London.
1916 October Hannah Warren returns to Hong Kong.
1923 July 7. Hannah Warren leaves London for Hong Kong (When did she arrive?)
1928 November 10 Mr & Mrs Leslie Warren and family leave England for Hong Kong, possibly with Arthur. They return on the Aeneas– Blue Funnel Line.
Copy of original available online at HKGRO.(from p53) You may need to click the link twice to see the document.
I recall seeing Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia in Hong Kong in the early 90s or, possibly, 1989. I think Prince Charles was in Hong Kong on a private trip, and they spent most of the visit up in Double Haven. Does anyone remember this visit, and remember the approximate date? Thank you.
Copy of original available online at HKGRO. (You may need to click the link twice to see the document.)
299
No.16/90
HONGKONG.
REPORT ON PUBLIC WORKS.
Laid before the Legislative Council, by. Command of His
Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
No. 172.
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 10th July, 1890.
SIR,
Owing to my recent appointment and other causes, I was prevented from making an annual report on the operations of the Public Works Department for 1889, but I have now the honour, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, to submit an intermediate report. I propose in future, although such does not appear to have been the practice in past years, to send in at the close of each year a full and exhaustive report on the works executed during the year.
Repairs of damage done by the great Storm of
29th and 30th May, 1889.
Gap Rock Lighthouse.
Praya Reclamations.
(a.)—Work included in Ordinance No. 16 of 1889.
4. Two contracts have been let for the construction of the rubble mound which forms the base of the Praya sea wall, viz: Section No. 2, 782 lineal feet and 1,157 lineal feet of Section No. 7, and the deposit of the stone is now pro¬gressing actively at either extremity of the line of the new wall. Up to the 5th instant, 59,567 cubic yards of rubble stone had been deposited in Section No. 2, and 35,043 cubic yards in Section No. 7, making a total of 94,610 cubic yards.
(b.).---Reclamation in front of the .Wharf and Godown Co.’s Wharf
(Length 592 feet.)
5. This reclamation which is being carried out by -Government under an agreement with the Wharf and Godown Company, lies west of Section No. 2. The rubble mounds have been formed, the granite footing courses of the wall laid, and the earth filling behind the wall is progressing satisfactorily.
(c.)—Reclamation in front of the Sailors' Home.
6. This reclamation which it was I understand intended to utilize as the site of the "Western Market" is situated between the Wharf and Godown Com¬pany's Reclamation and the new Praya Section No. 1. The rubble mound for the sea wall was completed in December, 1889, and a contract was entered into on 5th February, 1890, to complete the works for the sum of $50,800. I regret to say that we are having much trouble with the contractor.
(d.)—Reclamation in front of Mr. Chater's property- —Kennedytown.
7. This work is progressing satisfactorily. The wall is brought up to 7 feet 9 inches below quay level, and the sewers and earth-filling are being pushed on. I trust this reclamation will be completed about the end of the year.
New Central Market.
8. A contract has been let to Mr. TSANG KENG for the foundations of this building, the work was commenced on 23rd May last and is now being vigorously prosecuted. A requisition for the iron beams and columns to support the upper floor has been transmitted to the Crown Agents. The detailed drawings of the superstructure are nearly completed and we shall then be prepared to receive tenders for the main structure.
9. The market as planned consists of two blocks running the whole length between the Queen's Road and the Praya. These blocks will be connected by central towers in which are provided quarters for the Inspector and watchmen. Each block contains two stories, the lower one on the Praya level, the upper floor on the Queen's Road level. The market buildings will therefore consist of four separate markets each 296 feet long and 50 feet wide. A central avenue 20 feet wide traverses the whole length of each market, and on each side will be ranged the shops and stalls.
10. The extent of the accommodation provided is as follows:--
External area covered by Market, 37,680 square feet.
Internal area of Market, both floors, 58,864 “
Area available for Shops and Stalls, 33,884 “
Quarters for Staff of Civil Hospital.
11: A contract was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG on the 15th November last for the completion of this building for the sum of $42,500. The work is progressing favourably, the walls having now reached an average height of 13 feet above the ground floor.
Servants' Quarters—Civil Hospital
12. A contract was entered into on 27th January last with Mr. Wo SING for the erection of this building for the sum of $6,150. The progress made by the contractor has not so far been satisfactory, and it has been found necessary to take the work out of his hands.
Lunatic Asylum for Chinese.
13. This building is in course of erection on a piece of Government land immediately north of the European Lunatic Asylum. It is a two-storied building, with basement which may be used as store-rooms and for other purposes. The Asylum will provide accommodation for sixteen patients, each having a separate room ten feet by eight feet, with day rooms for the more tractable cases and quarters for attendants. The contract was entered into on 25th April last with Mr. YEE RING for $16,300. The foundations have been completed and the building is now raised to the ground floor level.
Reconstruction of Pier at Kowloon Point.
14. A contract was entered into with Mr. CHAN A-TONG on the 11th January last, for the removal of the old pier and the construction of a new one 73 feet in length and 45 feet wide for the sum of $7,000. This work was completed in May last.
Additions to Government House—Ball Room.
15. Designs for a new Ball Room and accessories have been prepared by Messrs. PALMER & TURNER under my direction, and a contract has been let to Mr. YEE HING for the main structure. The masonry is now advanced to 23 feet above the ground floor and the contractor is making good progress, as the work suffers little interruption during rainy weather, owing to the protection afforded by a huge "matshed" which covers in the whole building. The contractor has undertaken to complete the work by the 15th day of March next.
16. The new building will form a wing on the eastern side of Government House and will consist of a Ball Room 60 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 26 feet high on the upper floor. It is approached from Government House by a vestibule and wide flight of steps. To the left is a billiard room and on the right a staircase descends to the basement in which are placed a large supper room, card and smoking rooms, and other conveniences. The estimated cost is $40,000.
Recreation Ground—Happy Valley.
17. The improvements estimated to cost $16,000 for which the sum of $8,000 to be expended this year was voted by the Legislative Council on 9th ultimo consist in filling in the round pond and improving the surface. The work has been commenced. It is in my opinion very desirable that the drainage of this Valley for which much has already been done, should be completed by improving the watercourse on the west side of the Race Course, diverting it to the westward from near the Grand Stand to a point near the Bowrington Sugar Refinery, removing the weir opposite the refinery and contracting the width of the canal from the refinery to the Harbour. I hope shortly, in consultation with Mr. CHADWICK (in so far as the question of main drainage is concerned) to be able to submit plans embodying these proposals which must tend to improve the sanitary condition of the locality.
New Slaughter-House, Extension of Cattle Depot and Depots for Pigs and Sheep.
18. A Committee consisting of The Honourable 0. CHADWICK, the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, and the Surveyor General, having been appointed to report on the question of a site for the proposed new Slaughter-House and Depots for Pigs and Sheep, recommended that these should be erected at Kennedytown immediately to the -south west of the present Cattle Depot. This site has the great advantage of concentrating the depots and slaughter-houses for cattle, sheep, and pigs in one locality. A plentiful supply of water which is essential for these purposes, can be obtained from the large nullah which traverses this site, supplemented when necessary by the Pokfulam aqueduct. These establishments should be placed under the supervision of a European Inspector, residing on the spot whose duty it will be to see that the sanitary regulations are strictly enforced. With this precaution, combined with an efficient system of drainage, and an ample supply of water, the sanitary condition of the locality will be amply guaranteed. A survey has been made of the site and the working drawings of the slaughter¬house, and pig and sheep depots, are now in hand.
19. As regards the other public works included in this year's Estimates, I must admit that less progress has been made than I would have desired. This has arisen from various causes, but is chiefly due to the system which appears to have prevailed in the past of including in the Estimates of the year all works sanctioned by Government, irrespective of the consideration whether it was possible to execute them during the year or not. Consequently I found on my arrival that the list of "Extraordinary Public Works" in the Estimates of 1889 included the arrears of many years. It will be much better in future to include in the Estimates of the year only such works as there is a reasonable probability of carrying out wholly, or at least in part, during the year. Some delay has also been caused to the operations of the Department by the changes in the staff incident on the temporary separation of the water and drainage works from the Public Works Department. Now however that the departmental staff has been strengthened by the arrival of two Executive Engineers (Mr. TOOKER and Mr. CHATHAM) I hope to be able to make headway with the arrears.
20. With regard to some of these works, I may add that I hope shortly to be in a position to commence the erection of the Police Stations at Aberdeen and Quarry Bay. The question of Public Laundries, and Public Latrines, has been referred to Committees of the Sanitary Board who have sent in reports, and action may I think shortly be taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committees. A site has been selected and plans are being- prepared for a new school for the Saiyingpun District. Plans are nearly completed of the new offices, store-rooms and residence for the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Depart-
ment. The reconstruction of the pier at Yaumati can stand over for the present, but instead thereof it is a matter of urgent necessity to construct a new pier at Stone Cutters' Island, as the existing one is in the last stage of decay.
Ordinary Repairs.
21. The Government buildings generally have been maintained in a fair state of repair. It will be necessary shortly however to carry out extensive repairs to the Powder Magazine at Stone Cutters' Island owing to the ravages of white ants.
22. The main streets and roads have been considerably improved, but their maintenance must be attended with some difficulty so long as the new drains and water pipes are being laid. By an organised system of road scraping the condition of the surface of the main thoroughfares in wet weather has been considerably improved.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
S. BROWN, Surveyor general.
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
When the British first arrived in Hong Kong at the start of the 1840s, it took months to send a message to London and then receive a reply - messages only travelled as fast as the quickest sailing ship.
Just 30 years later, the electric telegraph reached Hong Kong: a message could be sent and the reply received on the same day. It must have had a huge impact on how business and government was run.
When exactly the first telegrams were sent Hong Kong needs a bit more explanation, as there were two cables heading towards Hong Kong from different directions, built in different orders:
Southern cable via Singapore and India
The southern cable was laid in segments by a group of British companies. It linked Britain to Hong Kong via Malta, Suez, Bombay, and Singapore. The final Singapore-Hong Kong section was laid by the China Submarine Cable Co., and landed at Hong Kong's Telegraph Bay.
The cable was completed on the 4th of June, and the event was reported the next day on page 2 of the Hong Kong Daily Press:
THE CHINA SUBMARINE CABLE.
We have received information that the final splice of the China Submarine Cabin was made yesterday afternoon at half-past 4 o’clock, under the supervision of Messrs. London and Laws with efficient staffs, on behalf of the China Submarine Cable Co., thus placing Hongkong in communication with Singapore and the other ports of the telegraphic world as far as San. Francisco. [...]
About 100 knots being paid out, the cable was cut and the end buoyed about 43 miles from Hongkong, the Belgian remaining outside to keep watch over the buoy. The Minia then steamed in for Taitowan where she anchored, at the spot selected for her, at about 6.30 pm, on Friday. Arrangements were then made to land the shore end as speedily as possible, in order that there might be sufficient time to get out to the buoy and make the final splice before dark. Notwithstanding the thick, unfavourable weather, this operation was finished by 4.30 p.m., the two ends having been previously tested, aad the electrical condition of the cable found satisfactory thus completing the communication with Singapore, India, Europe and America, the total length of cable laid being 1567 knots, actual distance 1483.
The new cable was soon in action, as several congratulatory telegrams were reproduced on page 2 of Hong Kong Daily Press, 1871-06-15. The earliest shown was sent on 11th June.
Northern cable via Shanghai and Siberia
The Great Northern China and Japan Extension Telegraphic Company was a Danish company, created to build and operate a telegraph cable linking Hong Kong, Shanghai and Japan with each other, and to Vladivostok on Russia's east coast. From Vladivostok a cable ran along the Trans-Siberian Railway, linking Hong Kong to telegraph networks in Britain, Europe, and America.
The Shanghai-Hong Kong cable landed at Deep Water Bay, and was first used on the 18th April 1871. They beat the southern cable to send the first international telegram from Hong Kong, but took second place in the race to send telegrams to London. The connection to Vladivostok was only completed at the end of the year, and the first telegram to London via the northern cable was sent on the 1st of January, 1972.
Timeline of firsts
The information about the northern cable comes from an outline of the history of The Great Northern Telegraph Company. The outline is reproduced on the website http://atlantic-cable.com, which describes itself as "History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications from the first submarine cable of 1850 to the worldwide fiber optic network".
Hello everyone, I am currently working on a project about sedan chairs. Would like to interview people who have experience taking sedan chairs/used to take sedan chairs in the past/ have good knowledge in sedan chairs. If you have info / photos about sedan chairs, please feel free to drop me a comment also.
Zillion thanks! xxxx
