The old photograph of the "Star" Ferry wharf, published yesterday, showed a number of rickshas waiting for passengers to disembark. The history of the introduction of rickshas to the Colony is interesting. The Hongkong Times of January 23, 1874, states:
"A novelty was witnessed in our drives a spanking new 'Jini-riksha' from Japan brought down for Mr. Heinemann. The back and sides are done to death with native outlandish figures etc. It seems a comfortable little vehicle, capable of holding two light weights, with American fashion wheels, which we think will not be much improved by an acquaintance with our macadamised roads of which we are so proud!"
In the same paper on February 14, 1874, a leading article on rickshas states:
"Doubtless it is owing to the peculiar formation of the city that there are more sedan chairs in Hongkong than may be found in any other port, but we think the attempt to replace the chairs by Jin-rickshas may not be crowned with success. The introduction should be undertaken by a company - a Chinese one would be the best as having a thorough knowledge of the chair system and its bearers and we are sanguine that the returns would speedily recoup any outlay that may have been gone into."
As we know, the new vehicle "caught on" so that restriction in numbers had eventually to be introduced.
During the past few years, Hongkong has witnessed several half-hearted attempts to abolish rickshas and sedan chairs. All of these efforts, the cause of humanity has been pleaded with varying degrees of eloquence. Some have contended that the scale of fares is too low to permit of the coolies buying sufficient food, while others say that the occupation carried on as it is in all kinds of weather, is so unhealthy as to shorten the lives of the coolies by a great many years.
Forty years ago, however, considerations of a very different nature were worrying European residents in Hongkong. A severe shortage of private ricksha and chair coolies was experienced, and such a serious view of the matter did the Government take that it appointed a Commission to investigate and make recommendations.
The report of this Commission was published in November, 1901 and makes interesting reading. In all, thirty witnesses were examined and the views of over 120 residents were ascertained. From these, it appeared there had been great difficulty in procuring and retaining reliable private chair and ricksha coolies. One witness, in giving evidence, stated that after paying for his food and rent, he had $10 a month left over.
In view of this, the Commission suggested that the scale of fares for public rickshas in Victoria and Kowloon should be revised and reduced, at any rate, so far as short time fares were concerned. The Commission was convinced that if the earnings of private chair and ricksha coolies could be placed more nearly on an equal footing with those of public employ, the difficulty would be largely diminished, if it did not altogether disappear.