C.C. TAFFS
I have to thank a reader at Shameen for the gift of an interesting old directory of China (including Hongkong) which gives a valuable list of names of residents, firms and so forth. From this it has been possible to check certain queries raised from time to time in this column. For instance, a reader some time ago (see 7-7-33) asked for information about one Charles Taffs, who held a post in the Royal Engineers, as a Clerk of Works, and was one of those who greeted General (then Captain) Gordon on his arrival in Hongkong on his first visit to China. From this old directory I discover that there was a C.C. Taffs, who was described as Clerk of Works, 2nd Class, in the Royal Engineers stationed at Hongkong in 1880. This definitely establishes the existence of the gentleman, and the date of his sojourn in the Colony.
i.
*
1024