Across the harbour was the old Kowloon Hotel on a site just at the back of the present Palace Hotel. This latter hotel was originally called the "Occidental", afterwards renamed the "George". For years the Billiards Champions of the Colony fought their way to the top at the Palace Hotel.
Then in Nathan Road there used to be the Railway Hotel, afterwards renamed the Station Hotel.
This now brings me to the end of the jug and bottle trail. Of the residential hotels and restaurants during this period I hope to write on another occasion.
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"R.McW." continues his reminiscences of twenty-five years ago.
On this occasion he devotes a short space to memories of the private hotels and restaurants which were flourishing in the Colony in those days:
"I think I have already mentioned Dick Daly's Owl Grill in Des Voeux Road. These unpretentious rooms were the haunt of the hungry and adventurous, said cravings being satisfied by tremendous steaks and strange females who on occasion were so solicitous of one's health as to persist in drinking to it at one's own expense.
At the top of Wyndham Street, opposite the Dairy Farm shop, was Pelham House. Afterwards the name was changed to Wyndham Hotel. Miss Hoy was the lady in charge. Later the "Wyndham" was under the able management of Mrs. Blake, until it was pulled down to make way for modern flats.
In the upper part of Ice House Street (originally Ice House Lane) was the Grand Carlton Hotel. This was owned by Mr. O.E. Owen who subsequently sold the business to Mrs. F.E. Cameron, who abbreviated the name of this hostelry to "Carlton Hotel."
Mrs. Cameron, it was, whose persistent propaganda and personal application induced Hongkong to resurrect a branch of the S.P.C.A. After leaving the Wyndham Hotel, Mrs. Blake bought the Carlton and for many years after continued to make her name blessed among many who slept under her hospitable roof.
Another hotel in the vicinity was the "Baltimore" which occupied the old German Club building near the foot of Wyndham Street. As its name implied, it was under American management.
Mention also should be made of Zetland House situated on the street of the same name.
On the middle levels there were many hotels and boarding houses. Perhaps the most outstanding of these was the original Kingsclere. This fine establishment was originally built by Mr. E.R. Belilios and in its day it was one of the most palatial homes in Hongkong.