The many residents (particularly motorists) who have occasion to grumble these days at the constant digging up or re-surfacing of the roads, must not think that the old days of the Colony were any freer from these troubles. Development work has made Hongkong what it is, and when we consider the various reclamations we have to realise that disturbance to traffic was inevitable. Thus one cannot help feeling amused, even though one can sympathise with the residents of 1866 who, according to the following pen-picture of that year, were subjected to inconvenience when attempting to go round the cricket ground, the seaward side of which lay close to the water's edge:
"The road running along the northern edge of the Cricket Ground from the Barrack Wharf to the premises formerly occupied by the Harbour Master's Department is entirely blocked with the materials collected and in course of preparation for the construction of the sea wall along that part of the Praya. (This must refer to what is now Des Voeux Road). Carriages are daily brought to a standstill and compelled to turn back when endeavouring to vary from the beaten track of the Queen's Road by taking a turn round the Cricket field."
Another dip into the records shows that in 1866 Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. were complimented by the public and Press on the many improvements effected to the east of Hong Kong. We learn that a new and handsome gateway adorned the entrance to their private grounds, and that on the opposite side of the road pleasure gardens and croquet grounds were being laid out. It was anticipated when such were completed that a new and charming drive or walk beyond East Point would doubtless prove an attraction to many who would not otherwise venture to go so far!
It is evident that much of the lay-out if it ever attained the optimistic expectations of the period, must have become obliterated by subsequent industrial developments. We still find some fine old trees, however, near Causeway Bay, which probably go back to the time a pleasance was formed: and even residents of a little over ten years standing will remember the delightful grounds of the Jardine's taipan house, which were taken over for the Lee Gardens, and have since been cut into by building developments. That the area in question was laid out for pleasure grounds over a considerable period of years is proved by the relics of to-day—the open spaces at Sookunpoo, the Polo Club's ground, and the recreation area adjoining used by the Chinese Recreation Club and certain local schools.
I am indebted for a correction relating to the proposal to have a town clock in the Post Office, from Mr. Leslie Ross:
"Your correspondent who says it was intended to place a clock in one of the corner towers of the Post Office and that one was strengthened for this purpose, is in error. The intention was to later add a high clock tower, approximately in the centre of the building, and this tower was built up to the roof level in brickwork when the P.W.D. Architectural Office in 1909 took over the completion of the building from the local Architects who designed it. It was found that this brickwork was inadequate to carry the proposed Clock Tower, and it was pulled down, from the roof to the foundations, and rebuilt in granite, but the clock tower was never built. The...