BUILDINGS. (1)
ILLUSTRATED.
78
To-day's old picture of Hongkong shows the waterfront as it was in the Eighties and early Nineties, prior to the commencement of the Praya reclamation.
The buildings shown here are, the old Hongkong Hotel (where Gloucester Building now stands), which is seen at the water's edge, about the middle of the picture, with part of the western facade showing. To the right (in the photo) is the block occupied by Jardine, Matheson and Co., and at right-hand edge of the picture is the old block of buildings where Whiteaway's are now located. It will be seen that Des Voeux Road was then running along the seafront. A number of boat davits and moored craft are discernible along the seawall, and it is interesting to observe that there is at least one big Hong to-day which has retained its rights to have davits at the seafront. This is the Hongkong Bank, whose boat occupies a space to the west of Queen's Pier.
A BUILDING (2).
Here are some more references to old property in the city area: "The site of the house known as 'Beauregard', the property of the London Mission, at the junction of Seymour and Bonham Roads, has undergone great changes. There is a church on the site, and the Alice Memorial Hospital.
"The large vacant spaces to the west formerly known as Sharp's Folly, owned by the late Granny Sharp, are occupied by the Nethersole Hospital and several terraces of European flats. Stowford Nos 1 and 2, owned by the late Mr. M.J.D. Stephens, have been converted into an imitation Windsor Castle. Next, Rose Villas have disappeared, to give way to European flats.
"Greenmount", a fine house of the old type standing in spacious grounds, has suffered a like fate.
"Craigellachie" adjoining was at one time the residence of the late Mr. Edwin Mackintosh, the B. and S. taipan, who rode in an open Victoria and pair right up to the fine drive to the house. Subsequently, this lot became the property of the Rhenish Mission. It has been demolished and a block of European flats are in course of erection on the site.
"On the opposite side was 'Balls Court' with large garden and tennis courts, which of late years housed St. Stephen's College. Terraces of flats now occupy the whole area.